Flexible Parental Leave: Over 18,000 Applications, Male Applications Up Nearly 50% in April
Taiwan's Ministry of Labor reported that applications for daily parental leave, which began this year, have surpassed 18,000. Male applications increased by nearly 50% in April, promoting male involvement in childcare.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 17:24
- 🔍 Collected: May 9, 2026 at 17:31 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 17:47 (15 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Taipei, May 9, Reporter Wu Hsin-yun) The new system for daily parental leave started this year. According to statistics from the Ministry of Labor, the number of applications continues to rise, cumulatively exceeding 18,000. Data for April shows that male applicants reached 1,916, an increase of nearly 50% compared to 1,281 in March, which is beneficial for male participation in childcare.
Today, the Ministry of Labor issued a press release stating that the new system for 'daily parental leave' was launched this year. Workers with children under three years old can apply for two years of parental leave, which can be applied for on a 'daily' basis, not exceeding 30 days in total, with an 80% salary subsidy during the period.
The Ministry of Labor stated that since the launch of the new system this year, the application mechanism has shown excellent results. Not only has the number of applications continued to rise, but the proportion of male participation in childcare has also significantly increased.
According to Ministry of Labor statistics, as of April, cumulative daily parental leave applications reached 18,408, accounting for 39.3% of the total 46,798 applications for parental leave benefits. This means nearly 40% of cases are daily applications, indicating that the flexible new system is indeed helpful for families with young children.
Statistics show that in April, the total number of male and female applicants for daily flexible parental leave was 3,904, an increase of 51.2% compared to 2,582 in March. The proportion of total applicants also increased from 20.7% in March to 40.2%.
The Ministry of Labor analyzed that while the proportion of male applicants for daily parental leave in April was 49.1%, a slight decrease from 49.6% in March, the number of male applicants at 1,916 still increased by nearly 50% compared to 1,281 in March.
The Ministry of Labor also added that from current data, the overall male application rate in 114 (2025 in the Gregorian calendar) was 27.8%, confirming that a more flexible system promotes male involvement in childcare.
The Ministry of Labor stated that it is currently planning to raise the applicable age for daily parental leave and is expanding its review and revision of overall regulations and systems to propose more optimized approaches.
Huang Chi-ya, Director of the Department of Labor Standards and Employment Equality at the Ministry of Labor, stated that when planning related measures, an overall policy review must consider different aspects such as workers with childcare needs, businesses, and colleagues acting as substitutes in the workplace, especially for supporting plans.
(Taipei, May 9, Reporter Wu Hsin-yun) The new system for daily parental leave started this year. According to statistics from the Ministry of Labor, the number of applications continues to rise, cumulatively exceeding 18,000. Data for April shows that male applicants reached 1,916, an increase of nearly 50% compared to 1,281 in March, which is beneficial for male participation in childcare.
Today, the Ministry of Labor issued a press release stating that the new system for 'daily parental leave' was launched this year. Workers with children under three years old can apply for two years of parental leave, which can be applied for on a 'daily' basis, not exceeding 30 days in total, with an 80% salary subsidy during the period.
The Ministry of Labor stated that since the launch of the new system this year, the application mechanism has shown excellent results. Not only has the number of applications continued to rise, but the proportion of male participation in childcare has also significantly increased.
According to Ministry of Labor statistics, as of April, cumulative daily parental leave applications reached 18,408, accounting for 39.3% of the total 46,798 applications for parental leave benefits. This means nearly 40% of cases are daily applications, indicating that the flexible new system is indeed helpful for families with young children.
Statistics show that in April, the total number of male and female applicants for daily flexible parental leave was 3,904, an increase of 51.2% compared to 2,582 in March. The proportion of total applicants also increased from 20.7% in March to 40.2%.
The Ministry of Labor analyzed that while the proportion of male applicants for daily parental leave in April was 49.1%, a slight decrease from 49.6% in March, the number of male applicants at 1,916 still increased by nearly 50% compared to 1,281 in March.
The Ministry of Labor also added that from current data, the overall male application rate in 114 (2025 in the Gregorian calendar) was 27.8%, confirming that a more flexible system promotes male involvement in childcare.
The Ministry of Labor stated that it is currently planning to raise the applicable age for daily parental leave and is expanding its review and revision of overall regulations and systems to propose more optimized approaches.
Huang Chi-ya, Director of the Department of Labor Standards and Employment Equality at the Ministry of Labor, stated that when planning related measures, an overall policy review must consider different aspects such as workers with childcare needs, businesses, and colleagues acting as substitutes in the workplace, especially for supporting plans.