TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The number of workers in Taiwan placed on unpaid leave fell to its lowest level since mid-September, the Ministry of Labor announced Tuesday.

A total of 378 companies reported implementing furlough programs, affecting 7,118 workers. Compared with the Dec. 1 report, the number of companies declined by 78, while affected workers fell by 2,035, according to CNA and LTN.

Despite the drop, the figure remains well above earlier levels. At the end of March, before US tariffs took effect in April, only 1,989 workers were on furlough.

The data suggest tariff-related pressure on corporate orders has yet to fully ease. The ministry said 123 companies, covering 6,339 workers, cited US tariffs as the main reason for cutting hours due to weaker orders.

Huang Chi-ya (黃琦雅), director of the Department of Labor Conditions and Equality in Employment, said the decline reflects that some firms have secured new orders. However, many of the orders are short term, leaving business conditions uncertain and raising the possibility of renewed furlough arrangements.

The ministry said 72.2% of reporting companies qualify for employment stabilization measures. About 5,531 workers, nearly 80% of those affected, are eligible for wage gap subsidies.

Workers in sectors not covered by the program may apply for training allowances. Participants in ministry-approved training during reduced-hours periods can receive NT$190 (US$6) per hour, with monthly payments capped at NT$17,210.