TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung mayoral candidates Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) and Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) have outlined policies aimed at helping young people find jobs, secure housing, and start businesses, CNA reported Thursday.
The DPP's Lai announced a five-part youth policy covering employment, international experience, entrepreneurship, housing, and health. He said the plan would support students and young people already in the workforce.
Lai proposed expanding Kaohsiung’s youth internship program and offering greater incentives to companies that hire interns as permanent employees. He also called for extending overseas exchange grants to university students, as the program currently focuses on vocational high school students.
His entrepreneurship plan would assist at different stages of starting and developing a business. His housing proposals include continuing social housing construction and providing rent subsidies.
Lai also proposed mental health services, programs encouraging young people to take part in public affairs, and short exercise sessions in workplaces. He said the measures would build on youth programs introduced by Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁).
UDN reported that KMT candidate Ko announced several youth housing proposals in March. Her plan includes affordable homes that buyers could later sell back to the city under a predetermined-price arrangement.
Ko proposed reserving 40% of social housing units for newly married couples and families with children. She also called for extending social housing leases to 12 years for families with children aged six or younger and families with elementary school students living in the school district.
Ko said companies should be encouraged to contribute to a youth housing fund. She proposed linking such donations with development incentives to increase the supply of social housing for young people.
Under Ko’s first-job support plan, eligible jobseekers who find work and remain employed could receive up to NT$25,000 (US$850). Her startup program aims to support 100 startups over four years and help them raise a combined NT$300 million.
Ko also proposed increasing advanced technology internship opportunities by 10% from current levels, although she did not specify a timeframe. She said the measure would help train local workers as Kaohsiung’s semiconductor and technology industries expand.
Lai’s platform offers a broad package covering work, housing, health, and civic participation. Ko’s proposals place greater emphasis on affordable housing, first-job assistance, entrepreneurship, and technology-sector employment.
