TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Legislative Yuan on Tuesday passed amendments that provide an additional NT$30,000 (US$1,000) monthly bonus for volunteer soldiers.

To boost recruitment and retention within the armed forces, lawmakers approved the third reading of KMT-proposed amendments to the Armed Forces Pay Act, per CNA. The revisions introduce the new bonus for those who voluntarily enlist and are slated to take effect Jan. 1.

Before the vote, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) warned that passing the pay-raise bill without Cabinet consultation would contradict the Budget Act and the spirit of the Constitution. He urged lawmakers not to repeat past mistakes and said the Cabinet would seek constitutional remedies if necessary.

According to the KMT proposal, the growing complexity of modern warfare demands greater pay incentives to reflect the intensified pace of military duties and training. The amendments aim not only to significantly raise bonuses but also to implement a mechanism for future adjustments, enhancing both recruitment and retention of qualified personnel.

Citing tensions across the Taiwan Strait and increased workloads in combat and support units, the bill also adds a combat unit bonus to encourage personnel to serve in those roles.

The amendments seek to make location-based bonuses more equitable by replacing restrictions based on rank and duty category with criteria reflecting how remote or inconvenient a service area is.

Overtime compensation will be codified, allowing unused leave from training or duty to be converted into pay.

Finally, the legislation introduces a trigger for bonus increases: when cumulative growth of the consumer price index published by the central accounting authority reaches 3 percent, relevant allowances will be adjusted to shield military personnel’s real income from inflation.