Government Proposes Population Strategy Amendments to Unify Parental Leave Benefits for All Civil Servants and Workers
The Examination Yuan passed a series of draft amendments on June 11, 2025, in line with the "New Taiwan Population Strategy." The amendments raise the age limit for children eligible for parental leave benefits from under 3 years old to under 7 years old. It also introduces a provision allowing both parents to each claim an additional 3 months of benefits after both have received 6 months, aligning benefits for military, civil service, education personnel, and private-sector workers.
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- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 14:06
- 🔍 Collected: June 11, 2026 at 14:17 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 11, 2026 at 14:41 (23 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 11) In line with the "New Taiwan Population Strategy" policy, the Examination Yuan passed draft amendments today. The amendments propose raising the age limit for children eligible for parental leave benefits from under 3 years old to under 7 years old. It also adds a provision that when both parents have each received 6 months of benefits for caring for the same child, they can each claim an additional 3 months. Premier Cho Jung-tai expressed gratitude to the Examination Yuan for its assistance in amending the laws, ensuring that conditions for military, civil service, education personnel, and private-sector workers are unified.
The Examination Yuan stated in a press release that it had reviewed and passed draft amendments to parts of the Civil Service Insurance Act, parts of the Civil Service Employment Act, and Articles 4, 5, and 28 of the Civil Service Examination Act. The draft amendments to the Employment Act and the Examination Act will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review shortly. The draft amendments to the Civil Service Insurance Act will be sent to the Legislative Yuan after obtaining the Executive Yuan's consent for joint submission.
Examination Yuan President Chou Hung-hsien pointed out at the meeting that after President Lai Ching-te and the Executive Yuan announced the family support measures of the "New Taiwan Population Strategy," the Examination Yuan actively reviewed relevant regulations and proposed these draft amendments, which were successfully passed. He stated that depending on the results of the legislative review and the Executive Yuan's related amendments to labor protection laws, the Examination Yuan will promptly make corresponding amendments to regulations such as the Regulations on Leave Without Pay for Civil Servants to create a more family-friendly work environment.
Regarding the Civil Service Insurance Act, the Examination Yuan stated that the age limit for children eligible for parental leave benefits will be expanded from the current requirement of "caring for a child under 3 years old" for an insured person with at least one year of coverage to "those who take parental leave and choose to continue their insurance can claim benefits until the child reaches 7 years old." It also adds a provision that when both parents caring for the same child have each received 6 months of benefits, they can each claim an additional 3 months, for a maximum of 9 months each.
The Examination Yuan said that because some civil servants have lower insurance salary levels, resulting in parental leave benefits lower than the amount calculated based on the statutory minimum wage, the amendments also stipulate that the difference should be made up to strengthen economic support for child-rearing.
Regarding the Civil Service Employment Act, the Examination Yuan said it will relax the conditions for those who have passed the Senior, Junior, and Basic Level Civil Service Examinations, the Local Special Examination, the Disability Special Examination, and the Indigenous Special Examination. During the period of restricted transfer, the current condition of "personally caring for a child under 3 years old" will be amended to "caring for a child or grandchild under 7 years old, or personally caring for a spouse, child, grandchild, or a lineal ascendant of oneself or one's spouse with a major illness or injury." Under certain conditions, they can be transferred to an agency in the actual place of residence of the listed individuals, without being restricted to the original transfer agency's scope.
Regarding the Examination Act, the Examination Yuan pointed out that it will relax the grounds for regular admittees to apply for retention of admission qualifications. The current condition of "caring for a child under 3 years old" will be amended to "personally caring for a child or grandchild under 7 years old." To encourage civil servants and their spouses to share childcare responsibilities, the current regulation that "a spouse who is a civil servant and has already applied for parental leave cannot apply for retention" will be deleted.
The Examination Yuan said that the grounds for additional admittees to apply for postponement of training assignments will also be similarly amended to "personally caring for a child or grandchild under 7 years old." The duration of such retention and postponement shall not exceed 3 years.
The Examination Yuan added that in addition to the amendments related to the family support measures of the "New Taiwan Population Strategy," after reviewing the current operational practices of various agencies, the Employment Act will also relax the conditions under which agencies can directly select and appoint qualified non-active-duty personnel. It will delete the requirement for promotion to Senior rank to have passed the promotion training, and raise the upper limit of positions that can be held by those who have passed the promotion training for the rank of Associate, in order to increase agency flexibility in personnel utilization and make actual work performance the main basis for promotion.
Furthermore, in response to the 18 measures of the new population strategy, the Executive Yuan had previously passed draft amendments to parts of the Gender Equality in Employment Act and the Employment Insurance Act. Today, it also passed draft amendments to parts of the Military Service Insurance Act. Executive Yuan Spokesperson Lee Hui-chih, in a press conference following the Executive Yuan meeting, relayed that Premier Cho thanked the Examination Yuan for its assistance in proposing the amendments, which will unify conditions for military, civil service, education personnel, and private-sector workers across the country. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150611
The Examination Yuan stated in a press release that it had reviewed and passed draft amendments to parts of the Civil Service Insurance Act, parts of the Civil Service Employment Act, and Articles 4, 5, and 28 of the Civil Service Examination Act. The draft amendments to the Employment Act and the Examination Act will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review shortly. The draft amendments to the Civil Service Insurance Act will be sent to the Legislative Yuan after obtaining the Executive Yuan's consent for joint submission.
Examination Yuan President Chou Hung-hsien pointed out at the meeting that after President Lai Ching-te and the Executive Yuan announced the family support measures of the "New Taiwan Population Strategy," the Examination Yuan actively reviewed relevant regulations and proposed these draft amendments, which were successfully passed. He stated that depending on the results of the legislative review and the Executive Yuan's related amendments to labor protection laws, the Examination Yuan will promptly make corresponding amendments to regulations such as the Regulations on Leave Without Pay for Civil Servants to create a more family-friendly work environment.
Regarding the Civil Service Insurance Act, the Examination Yuan stated that the age limit for children eligible for parental leave benefits will be expanded from the current requirement of "caring for a child under 3 years old" for an insured person with at least one year of coverage to "those who take parental leave and choose to continue their insurance can claim benefits until the child reaches 7 years old." It also adds a provision that when both parents caring for the same child have each received 6 months of benefits, they can each claim an additional 3 months, for a maximum of 9 months each.
The Examination Yuan said that because some civil servants have lower insurance salary levels, resulting in parental leave benefits lower than the amount calculated based on the statutory minimum wage, the amendments also stipulate that the difference should be made up to strengthen economic support for child-rearing.
Regarding the Civil Service Employment Act, the Examination Yuan said it will relax the conditions for those who have passed the Senior, Junior, and Basic Level Civil Service Examinations, the Local Special Examination, the Disability Special Examination, and the Indigenous Special Examination. During the period of restricted transfer, the current condition of "personally caring for a child under 3 years old" will be amended to "caring for a child or grandchild under 7 years old, or personally caring for a spouse, child, grandchild, or a lineal ascendant of oneself or one's spouse with a major illness or injury." Under certain conditions, they can be transferred to an agency in the actual place of residence of the listed individuals, without being restricted to the original transfer agency's scope.
Regarding the Examination Act, the Examination Yuan pointed out that it will relax the grounds for regular admittees to apply for retention of admission qualifications. The current condition of "caring for a child under 3 years old" will be amended to "personally caring for a child or grandchild under 7 years old." To encourage civil servants and their spouses to share childcare responsibilities, the current regulation that "a spouse who is a civil servant and has already applied for parental leave cannot apply for retention" will be deleted.
The Examination Yuan said that the grounds for additional admittees to apply for postponement of training assignments will also be similarly amended to "personally caring for a child or grandchild under 7 years old." The duration of such retention and postponement shall not exceed 3 years.
The Examination Yuan added that in addition to the amendments related to the family support measures of the "New Taiwan Population Strategy," after reviewing the current operational practices of various agencies, the Employment Act will also relax the conditions under which agencies can directly select and appoint qualified non-active-duty personnel. It will delete the requirement for promotion to Senior rank to have passed the promotion training, and raise the upper limit of positions that can be held by those who have passed the promotion training for the rank of Associate, in order to increase agency flexibility in personnel utilization and make actual work performance the main basis for promotion.
Furthermore, in response to the 18 measures of the new population strategy, the Executive Yuan had previously passed draft amendments to parts of the Gender Equality in Employment Act and the Employment Insurance Act. Today, it also passed draft amendments to parts of the Military Service Insurance Act. Executive Yuan Spokesperson Lee Hui-chih, in a press conference following the Executive Yuan meeting, relayed that Premier Cho thanked the Examination Yuan for its assistance in proposing the amendments, which will unify conditions for military, civil service, education personnel, and private-sector workers across the country. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150611
FAQ
Up to what age will the parental leave benefits be applicable?
The age limit will be raised from the current under 3 years old to under 7 years old.
What is the maximum duration of parental leave benefits for both parents?
Each parent can receive benefits for a maximum of 9 months (6 months + an additional 3 months).
When will this amendment take effect?
It will take effect on the date of promulgation after the relevant bills are passed by the Legislative Yuan. The exact date is yet to be determined.