Premier Cho: Public Sector Salary Hike Subject to Committee Review, Hopes to Meet Social Expectations

(CNA Reporters Kao Hua-chien, Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, 19th) Regarding a potential salary increase for military personnel, civil servants, and teachers, Premier Cho Jung-tai said today that it must be reviewed by the compensation review committee. He added that amid economic development, to thank public employees for their hard work and to respond to social expectations, the committee members will certainly consider all conditions, and the government is happy to see people's lives become more stable. President Lai Ching-te marks his second anniversary in office on May 20th this year. Premier Cho Jung-tai, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, and Secretary-General Chang Tun-han attended the Executive Yuan's 520 press conference this morning to explain the cabinet's achievements over the past year and outline major policies for the future. Cho Jung-tai stated that over the past two years, industrial upgrading and wage increases for laborers have been achieved. In 2025, the economic growth rate is projected at 8.68%. During this process, the government has most valued the diversified revitalization and development program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Last year, it assisted over 290,000 SMEs in moving towards digital and net-zero goals, a dual-axis transformation for upgrading. In the future, it will continue to promote the 5 major trusted industries to drive the upgrading and development of SMEs. Cho said he has already asked the National Development Council, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the Ministry of Labor to jointly draft a comprehensive "SME Transformation and Upgrading Act bill," which will inject a larger budget to care for traditional industries and allow them to develop more steadily. Cho Jung-tai pointed out, "If industries are profitable, they should raise wages for their workers." The government leads by using policy to encourage enterprises to increase salaries. He stated that the minimum wage should exceed NT$30,000 next year. In gratitude for the long-term dedication of laborers and public sector employees, the government will consider and study a salary increase for them. After due process, he hopes to meet social expectations and allow both public employees and laborers to live more stable lives. When asked by the media if the salary increase for public employees has been decided, Cho said it must go through the evaluation and deliberation of the Public Sector Compensation Review Committee. However, under such economic development, to thank public employees and laborers for their hard work and to meet expectations, whether it is the minimum wage or a public sector pay raise, the review committee will certainly consider all conditions, and the government is happy to see people's lives become more stable. (Editor: Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150519