TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Helping families raise children is a matter of national importance, Premier Cho Jung-tai said Tuesday.
Cho said that while having children is a personal choice and right for young Taiwanese, the government will ease the burden on families, CNA reported.
For private-sector employers, the government will provide NT$5 million (US$158,270) subsidies and offer a 200% tax deduction on childcare-related expenses, he said. For companies that have already set up childcare facilities, the government is also considering support for operational costs.
To create family-friendly workplaces, Cho said policies are being expanded across the board, including marriage leave, maternity and paternity leave, parental leave, and childcare allowances. He added that companies that invest in childcare facilities can better retain talent.
Cho said the Cabinet will soon form an implementation task force to set deadlines for each policy measure. With cooperation between the Cabinet and the Legislative Yuan, relevant legal amendments will be completed as soon as possible, he said.
The premier said he hoped President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) new population strategy could be partially launched in the second half of the year and fully implemented by 2027. He added that the Cabinet is aiming to establish childcare facilities for its own employees and is encouraging both the public and private sectors to expand childcare services.
The Presidential Office announced 18 measures under “Taiwan Population Strategy 2.0: Family Support” in May.
