Premier Cho: New Population Strategy Forms 'Iron Triangle' of Parents, Businesses, and Government

(CNA, New Taipei City, June 9, by reporter Wang Hung-kuo) Premier Cho Jung-tai said today that for Taiwan's new population strategy to be thoroughly successful, a solid 'iron triangle' must be forged: parents taking care of children, businesses supporting parents, and the government supporting businesses. He emphasized that this is a battle that "must be won and cannot afford to fail."

He stated that the low birth rate cannot be tackled by individual efforts and family sacrifices alone; the government must treat it as a major national priority to be accomplished together.

Accompanied by Democratic Progressive Party legislators Su Tsiao-hui and Wu Ping-jui, Premier Cho visited a non-profit kindergarten for the children of employees at the Xinzhuang Joint Office Tower of the Executive Yuan in New Taipei City this afternoon.

Premier Cho explained that President Lai Ching-te's "New Population Strategy for Taiwan—Family Support Chapter" is based on the premise that while having children is a right and a choice for young people, raising them is a major affair for the government and the nation. The government will take responsibility for reducing the burden on young people and families.

He expressed hope that the Executive Yuan's headquarters would also establish childcare facilities for employees' children to allow staff to work with greater peace of mind. He also encouraged both the public sector and private enterprises to widely establish childcare facilities. For private companies, the government will provide subsidies of up to NT$5 million, plus an additional 200% tax deduction on their childcare expenditures. For companies that have already set up such facilities, the government is also considering assisting with operational costs.

Regarding creating a friendly workplace, Premier Cho mentioned that policies from marriage leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, and parental leave to childcare allowances will be comprehensively relaxed. He added that when companies add more childcare facilities, it helps with employee retention.

He said the Executive Yuan will soon form an implementation task force to set deadlines for each policy and measure. With the cooperation of the Executive and Legislative Yuans, relevant legal amendments will be completed as soon as possible. He hopes that parts of the new population strategy can be launched in the second half of the year, with the entire strategy to be fully implemented by 2027. By then, he said, the nation should be able to embrace an era of greater development. (Editor: Li Ming-tsung) 1150609