Premier Cho: Full Support from Ages 0 to 18, Parental Leave Upgraded and Extended to Age 6

(CNA, Taipei, May 19, by Lai Yu-hsun and Kao Hua-chien) To comprehensively assist families with marriage and child-rearing, Premier Cho Jung-tai stated today that the government will launch a full support program for individuals from ages 0 to 18. He also announced that flexible parental leave will be upgraded to 'childcare leave' with the applicable age raised to 6 years. At the same time, the government will promote tax deductions for parenting-friendly housing and more reasonably plan marriage leave, maternity leave, and paternity leave, hoping to achieve the goal of care and companionship and encourage joint participation from both parents. Cho said the government's focus is on providing comprehensive support through increased subsidies, reduced burdens, more flexibility, and enhanced care across the three stages of birth, upbringing, and education. The goal is to achieve peace of mind in child-rearing, strengthen childcare, enhance education, create a friendly workplace, and reduce housing pressure. Tomorrow is May 20th, and the Lai administration will mark its second anniversary. Premier Cho Jung-tai, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, and Secretary-General Chang Tun-han attended the Executive Yuan's 520 press conference today to explain recent achievements and future prospects, including refined policies to address the low birthrate. (Editor: Yang Kai-hsiang) 1150519