Marriage and Paternity Leave Extended; 800 TWD Daily Subsidy for Job Substitutes

The government has announced 18 measures under the 'New Strategy for Taiwan's Population Policy,' including extending marriage, maternity, and paternity leave, with the government covering the additional salary costs. Subsidies will also be provided if companies pay for job substitutes or hire new replacement staff, with a daily subsidy of 800 TWD for job substitutes. President Lai Ching-te and his administrative team announced the 18 measures today. To create a more friendly workplace, marriage leave will be extended from 8 to 14 days, maternity leave from 8 to 12 weeks, and paternity leave from 7 to 14 days. Flexible parental leave will also be upgraded. Previously, companies had to handle labor shortages during leave periods on their own. Now, the government will provide assistance. Regardless of company size, if an employee applies for marriage, paternity, or parental leave, or reduced working hours, and the company hires a job substitute, the government will provide a subsidy of 800 New Taiwan Dollars per person per day. For long-term replacement needs, such as maternity or parental leave, the government will provide a subsidy of 20,000 TWD per person for recruitment and training costs to companies with 200 or fewer employees. Huang Chi-ya, Director of the Department of Labor Conditions and Employment Equality at the Ministry of Labor, explained that the job substitute allowance is considered a wage, and if companies establish a system for it, the government will provide economic support. Details will be announced after coordination with local governments.