Premier Cho Urges Legislative Negotiation on Military, Police, and Firefighter Benefits, Balancing Constitutional and Fiscal Discipline
Regarding the treatment of military, police, and firefighter personnel, Premier Cho Jung-tai announced today that the Executive Yuan has temporarily suspended the allocation of budgets for military pay raises and increased income replacement rates for police and firefighters, and has applied for constitutional review. In the future, it will research more reasonable methods for adjusting compensation that reflect price fluctuations, and professional allowance adjustment plans that are closer to the actual operations of the public service system, hoping to negotiate with the Legislative Yuan to balance both constitutional principles and fiscal discipline.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 11:33
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 12:01 (28 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 12:07 (5 min after Collected)
Central News (Reporter Chen Chun-hua, Taipei, April 21) Regarding the treatment of military, police, and firefighter personnel, Premier Cho Jung-tai said today that the Executive Yuan has temporarily suspended the allocation of budgets for military pay raises and increased income replacement rates for police and firefighters, and has applied for constitutional review. In the future, it will research more reasonable methods for adjusting compensation that reflect price fluctuations, and professional allowance adjustment plans that are closer to the actual operations of the public service system, hoping to negotiate with the Legislative Yuan to balance both constitutional principles and fiscal discipline.
Legislative Yuan convenes an inquiry with the Premier, Chief Accountant, and Minister of Finance to report on the compilation of the "FY2026 Central Government General Budget" and for questioning (including reporting on the compilation and handling of budgets for voluntary military personnel pay raises and police/firefighter retirement benefits).
During his report, Cho Jung-tai first thanked the ruling and opposition caucuses for their constructive interaction and negotiation, working together for the nation's sustainable development, strict adherence to fiscal discipline, and improvement of people's welfare, allowing the general budget to be referred to committee today for substantive review.
Cho Jung-tai stated that the FY2026 Central Government General Budget was prudently prepared considering the domestic and international economic situation, future policy priorities, and national development needs, while strictly complying with regulations such as the Budget Act, Public Debt Act, and Fiscal Discipline Act. Although revenue was significantly reduced by NT$302.7 billion due to the new fiscal distribution law, it is still necessary to increase investment in national construction to maintain national momentum.
Cho Jung-tai expects Taiwan's economy to continue its stable growth in 2026, with GDP exceeding US$1 trillion and per capita GDP reaching US$44,000, and an annual economic growth rate of 7.71%.
Cho Jung-tai pointed out that the FY2026 general budget revenue is budgeted at NT$2.8623 trillion, a decrease of 9.6% from FY2025. Expenditure is budgeted at NT$3.035 trillion, an increase of 0.9% from FY2025. The deficit after offsetting revenue and expenditure is NT$172.7 billion. Including debt repayment of NT$126.5 billion, the total financing requirement is NT$299.2 billion, all of which will be covered by issuing new debt.
According to the conclusion of the cross-party consultation on April 15th by the Legislative Yuan, the Executive Yuan should submit amendments related to the Military Personnel Treatment Act and the Police Personnel Organic Act, as well as other measures for the protection of military, civil servants, and teachers, within six months after the FY2026 general budget is referred to committee. The government spares no effort in caring for police, firefighters, and the military. Since 2016, there have been four pay raises for military, civil servants, and teachers, totaling a cumulative increase of 14%.
Cho Jung-tai stated that regarding military personnel treatment, adjustments to five types of allowances for the national army have been gradually increased since April 2025, with an annual increase in expenditure of over NT$14.6 billion. Among these, the increase in voluntary service allowances ranges from 30% to 50%, and the increase in combat unit allowances ranges from 133% to 140%. Subsequently, a comprehensive evaluation of current treatment, allowances, welfare measures, and future strengthening items will be conducted to propose more complete and specific plans.
Cho Jung-tai said that regarding the personnel system for police officers, the Executive Yuan will continue to communicate and negotiate with the Legislative Yuan within the framework of the system and the rule of law to seek reasonable and feasible solutions. Considering the balance between different civil servants and constitutional disputes, the Executive Yuan has temporarily suspended the allocation of related budgets and applied for constitutional review and provisional measures to the Constitutional Court on August 22, 2025.
Cho Jung-tai stated that in the future, adhering to the principles of "sound system," "complete legal framework," "fair balance," and "fiscal sustainability," continuous review and improvement will be carried out, including researching more reasonable methods for adjusting compensation that reflect price fluctuations, and professional allowance adjustment plans that are closer to the actual operations of the public service system. It is hoped that these two principles will be jointly negotiated with the Legislative Yuan, balancing both constitutional principles and national fiscal discipline.
Cho Jung-tai said that the nation faces constant challenges, and expressed hope that the Legislative Yuan will pass the general budget soon, allowing the government to fully promote people's livelihood, economy, and construction, enhance national resilience and security, care for the people with the greatest strength, bring more warmth to the public, and continue to strengthen the Republic of China, Taiwan. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150421
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Legislative Yuan convenes an inquiry with the Premier, Chief Accountant, and Minister of Finance to report on the compilation of the "FY2026 Central Government General Budget" and for questioning (including reporting on the compilation and handling of budgets for voluntary military personnel pay raises and police/firefighter retirement benefits).
During his report, Cho Jung-tai first thanked the ruling and opposition caucuses for their constructive interaction and negotiation, working together for the nation's sustainable development, strict adherence to fiscal discipline, and improvement of people's welfare, allowing the general budget to be referred to committee today for substantive review.
Cho Jung-tai stated that the FY2026 Central Government General Budget was prudently prepared considering the domestic and international economic situation, future policy priorities, and national development needs, while strictly complying with regulations such as the Budget Act, Public Debt Act, and Fiscal Discipline Act. Although revenue was significantly reduced by NT$302.7 billion due to the new fiscal distribution law, it is still necessary to increase investment in national construction to maintain national momentum.
Cho Jung-tai expects Taiwan's economy to continue its stable growth in 2026, with GDP exceeding US$1 trillion and per capita GDP reaching US$44,000, and an annual economic growth rate of 7.71%.
Cho Jung-tai pointed out that the FY2026 general budget revenue is budgeted at NT$2.8623 trillion, a decrease of 9.6% from FY2025. Expenditure is budgeted at NT$3.035 trillion, an increase of 0.9% from FY2025. The deficit after offsetting revenue and expenditure is NT$172.7 billion. Including debt repayment of NT$126.5 billion, the total financing requirement is NT$299.2 billion, all of which will be covered by issuing new debt.
According to the conclusion of the cross-party consultation on April 15th by the Legislative Yuan, the Executive Yuan should submit amendments related to the Military Personnel Treatment Act and the Police Personnel Organic Act, as well as other measures for the protection of military, civil servants, and teachers, within six months after the FY2026 general budget is referred to committee. The government spares no effort in caring for police, firefighters, and the military. Since 2016, there have been four pay raises for military, civil servants, and teachers, totaling a cumulative increase of 14%.
Cho Jung-tai stated that regarding military personnel treatment, adjustments to five types of allowances for the national army have been gradually increased since April 2025, with an annual increase in expenditure of over NT$14.6 billion. Among these, the increase in voluntary service allowances ranges from 30% to 50%, and the increase in combat unit allowances ranges from 133% to 140%. Subsequently, a comprehensive evaluation of current treatment, allowances, welfare measures, and future strengthening items will be conducted to propose more complete and specific plans.
Cho Jung-tai said that regarding the personnel system for police officers, the Executive Yuan will continue to communicate and negotiate with the Legislative Yuan within the framework of the system and the rule of law to seek reasonable and feasible solutions. Considering the balance between different civil servants and constitutional disputes, the Executive Yuan has temporarily suspended the allocation of related budgets and applied for constitutional review and provisional measures to the Constitutional Court on August 22, 2025.
Cho Jung-tai stated that in the future, adhering to the principles of "sound system," "complete legal framework," "fair balance," and "fiscal sustainability," continuous review and improvement will be carried out, including researching more reasonable methods for adjusting compensation that reflect price fluctuations, and professional allowance adjustment plans that are closer to the actual operations of the public service system. It is hoped that these two principles will be jointly negotiated with the Legislative Yuan, balancing both constitutional principles and national fiscal discipline.
Cho Jung-tai said that the nation faces constant challenges, and expressed hope that the Legislative Yuan will pass the general budget soon, allowing the government to fully promote people's livelihood, economy, and construction, enhance national resilience and security, care for the people with the greatest strength, bring more warmth to the public, and continue to strengthen the Republic of China, Taiwan. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150421
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This website's text, images, and audio may not be reproduced, broadcast, or transmitted and used without authorization.