Furloughed Companies and Workers Both Revised Down; Labor Ministry Cites Stabilized Orders
Taiwan's Ministry of Labor reported a decrease in furloughed workers to 3,442 across 245 companies, primarily driven by a recovery in manufacturing orders. The Middle East conflict has not yet impacted domestic labor conditions.
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- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 13:21
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 13:31 (10 min after Published)
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(Central News Agency reporter Chang Hsiung-feng, Taipei, 16th) The Ministry of Labor announced the latest statistics on furloughed business units today. The number of companies stands at 245, with 3,442 workers affected, a decrease of 16 companies and 245 workers compared to the previous period. The main reason for the decrease is stabilized orders, and the Middle East conflict currently has no impact on domestic labor conditions.
The Ministry of Labor released data reported by labor administration authorities on business units implementing "reduced working hours through labor-management negotiations in response to economic impacts." There are 245 companies and 3,442 workers; compared to the 261 companies and 3,687 workers announced on the 1st, this represents a decrease of 16 companies and 245 workers.
Huang Chi-ya, Director of the Department of Labor Standards and Equal Employment, stated at a press conference that the decrease in companies and workers is mostly due to stabilized orders and rising manpower demand, leading to shorter furlough periods or a return to normal working hours. Additionally, 32 companies and 817 workers expired their furlough periods and did not renew, returning to normal hours.
Huang pointed out that the manufacturing sector still accounts for the majority of furloughs this period, with a total of 189 companies and 3,132 workers, a decrease of 15 companies and 233 workers from the last period. Within manufacturing, the metal and electromechanical sector is the most prominent, with 145 companies and 2,462 workers.
Furthermore, Huang mentioned that 187 companies and 2,392 workers expressed being affected by US tariffs, a decrease of 13 companies and 292 workers compared to the previous period.
When asked by the media if the Middle East conflict, which caused international raw material costs to rise, impacted furloughs, Huang said that no abnormal situations have been observed so far. Adjustments to labor conditions are usually the final lever used by companies, and the data currently looks stable. The Executive Yuan and the Ministry of Economic Affairs already have relevant measures in place.
The Ministry of Labor added that among the workers currently reported for furloughs, 172 companies (about 70%) belong to industries applicable to the employment stabilization measures. Nearly 80% of these workers (2,683 people) can apply for salary difference subsidies. This means that in addition to employers paying no less than the minimum wage, the Ministry of Labor provides a 70% salary difference subsidy to support the workers' economic livelihoods.
The Ministry of Labor released data reported by labor administration authorities on business units implementing "reduced working hours through labor-management negotiations in response to economic impacts." There are 245 companies and 3,442 workers; compared to the 261 companies and 3,687 workers announced on the 1st, this represents a decrease of 16 companies and 245 workers.
Huang Chi-ya, Director of the Department of Labor Standards and Equal Employment, stated at a press conference that the decrease in companies and workers is mostly due to stabilized orders and rising manpower demand, leading to shorter furlough periods or a return to normal working hours. Additionally, 32 companies and 817 workers expired their furlough periods and did not renew, returning to normal hours.
Huang pointed out that the manufacturing sector still accounts for the majority of furloughs this period, with a total of 189 companies and 3,132 workers, a decrease of 15 companies and 233 workers from the last period. Within manufacturing, the metal and electromechanical sector is the most prominent, with 145 companies and 2,462 workers.
Furthermore, Huang mentioned that 187 companies and 2,392 workers expressed being affected by US tariffs, a decrease of 13 companies and 292 workers compared to the previous period.
When asked by the media if the Middle East conflict, which caused international raw material costs to rise, impacted furloughs, Huang said that no abnormal situations have been observed so far. Adjustments to labor conditions are usually the final lever used by companies, and the data currently looks stable. The Executive Yuan and the Ministry of Economic Affairs already have relevant measures in place.
The Ministry of Labor added that among the workers currently reported for furloughs, 172 companies (about 70%) belong to industries applicable to the employment stabilization measures. Nearly 80% of these workers (2,683 people) can apply for salary difference subsidies. This means that in addition to employers paying no less than the minimum wage, the Ministry of Labor provides a 70% salary difference subsidy to support the workers' economic livelihoods.