DPP Proposes "Good Life Taiwan" Joint Platform: Salary Increases, Tax Cuts, More Benefits, Less Burden

(CNA, reporter Ye Suling, Taipei, July 1) President Lai Ching-te, who also serves as DPP Chairman, said today that over the past 10 years of DPP administration, the party has continuously promoted "salary increases, tax cuts, more benefits, and less burden" to ensure that the fruits of economic development are more equitably returned to people's lives. The goal is to build a welfare state and jointly create a more prosperous, safer, and wealthier "Good Life Taiwan" for the next generation, making it a happy daily life shared by all.

The DPP held a press conference today to announce its "Good Life Taiwan" joint platform for the 2026 local elections. Lai Ching-te, Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung, caucus whip Tsai Chi-chang, Policy Committee Executive Director Wu Ssu-yao, and Policy Committee Chief Deputy Executive Director Lee Chun-yi were present.

Lai Ching-te stated that the "Good Life Taiwan" joint platform, through the policy direction of "salary increases, tax cuts, more benefits, and less burden," aims to achieve a welfare state where economic dividends are shared by all. The government will continue to expand social investment and transform economic growth into happiness and progress that people can see and feel, allowing everyone to enjoy a better quality of life and development opportunities.

Lai Ching-te emphasized that the joint platform launched this time comprehensively covers salary protection for civil servants, military personnel, teachers, and grassroots workers, tax benefits for families with children, institutionalized parental support benefits, and reduced housing burdens for newly married and child-rearing couples. The aim is to ensure that every family and every child can pursue their dreams under the care of the government, realizing the vision of a welfare state with all-age care.

Hsu Kuo-yung pointed out that to allow all citizens to share the dividends of significant economic growth, the DPP is proposing two major policies: "salary increases" and "tax cuts." Regarding salary increases, the government will promote a further adjustment of salaries for civil servants, military personnel, and teachers, marking the fifth salary increase since the DPP took office. In the future, the government will continue to promote increases in the minimum wage, aiming for a monthly salary exceeding NT$30,000 and an hourly wage exceeding NT$200.

Regarding tax cuts, Hsu Kuo-yung said that to substantially reduce the tax burden on grassroots families and families with children, the DPP will promote an increase in the tax exemption for minor children from NT$101,000 per person to NT$151,500. The party also plans to "exempt housing tax and land value tax for newly married and child-rearing homes" to minimize the pressure on young people getting married and raising children through thoughtful tax reduction policies.

Hsu Kuo-yung stated that in terms of "more benefits" and "less burden" policies, the DPP has proposed specific institutionalized enhancement measures. For increased benefits, the party advocates for further enhancements to childcare benefits and the institutionalization of parental support systems. This includes a "6 plus 3 months" parental leave allowance, where both parents can each apply for 80% of their insured salary, with the application conditions extended to children aged 6. The daily leave quota will also double from 30 days to 60 days, with a total of up to 120 days for both parents. Additionally, the scope of flexible reduced working hours will be significantly extended from the original 0-3 years to 12 years, and parents will be guaranteed one hour per day for early departure or flexible working hours.

Hsu Kuo-yung said that regarding "less burden," the DPP will continue to promote the expansion of social housing by 40% for newly married and child-rearing families, guaranteeing that families with children aged 0-6 can reside there for 12 years with peace of mind. Rent subsidies will also be significantly increased, with a 1.5x multiplier for newly married couples within two years and a 2x multiplier for families with newborns. Furthermore, in addition to rent subsidies, the social housing rental and management program will allow applications for an annual "childcare home safety renovation" subsidy of up to NT$6,000, comprehensively reducing the housing and living pressures for the child-rearing generation.

Finally, Hsu Kuo-yung emphasized that the DPP has been founded for 40 years, and Taiwan has had direct presidential elections for 30 years. The DPP is always grateful for the hardships endured by those who came before and will never forget its original intention of striving for democracy and human rights. At this crucial moment of entering the 10th year of stable governance, all DPP candidates, carrying the joint platform, will practice "electing the right people and taking the right path," allowing Taiwan to continue creating another golden generation on the existing beautiful foundation. (Editor: Lin Kelun) 1150701)