Taiwan to Allow 'Gig Farmers' on Labor Insurance to Join Farmer Pension Fund

(CNA, Taipei, June 9) Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture has announced a draft of the "Regulations for the Qualification Review of Actual Agricultural Workers Participating in Labor Insurance or National Pension Insurance to Apply for Contributions to the Farmers' Pension Fund." The amendment will add actual agricultural workers who are part of the labor or national insurance systems, providing support for young 'gig farmers'.

The Ministry of Agriculture issued a press release today stating that due to the seasonal nature of agricultural production and the increasing diversity of employment, many young people actually engaged in farming may also hold laborer status. This revision aims to ensure that these "gig farmers" are not discouraged from staying in agriculture due to a lack of retirement security.

The Ministry stated that this reform will expand coverage to young gig farmers who were previously unable to benefit from the farmers' insurance system, allowing every farming partner to enjoy a stable retirement and attracting more talent to the agricultural sector.

The Ministry estimates that after expanding the eligibility for the farmers' pension fund, approximately 10,000 people will benefit.

According to the Ministry's draft amendment, insured individuals under 65 who are not receiving related social insurance old-age benefits and are enrolled in labor (or national) insurance, will be eligible to apply for contributions to the farmers' pension fund, provided they have no employer-contributed occupational pension.

The Ministry noted that newly eligible agricultural workers must have a certain scale of operation in their agricultural production, which will be certified under categories such as agriculture, livestock, and aquaculture.

The Ministry stated that even if individuals work in both agriculture and other labor, farming must remain their primary occupation. Eligibility requires that their primary source of livelihood comes from self-employed farming, fishing, or livestock income. During the contribution period, the total annual income from non-agricultural salary and business execution income must not exceed 1.25 times the total annual minimum wage.

Furthermore, regarding retired young farmers under 50 who are enrolled in labor (or national) insurance and have already received military insurance discharge payments, the Ministry said they will also be eligible to apply for contributions to the farmers' pension fund in the future.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that it is accelerating preparations for related administrative procedures. If the draft gains support from all sectors, it will report to the Executive Yuan to approve an implementation date in accordance with Article 33 of the "Farmers' Pension Fund Act," aiming to launch the new system as soon as possible.