The plan for the hike of basic monthly pay will be shelved until the improvement of the economy,although the basic hourly pay will be raised according to the original schedule,concluded a meeting of the Executive Yuan(the Cabinet)yesterday(Sept.24).
A ranking official explained that should the economy improve three months later,the basic monthly pay will be hiked on Jan.1,next year,as originally scheduled.The improvement of the economy will be determined by the Council for Economic Planning and Development(CEPD)and the Directorate General of Budget,Accounting,and Statistics(DGBAS)jointly.
Wang Ju-hsuan,minister of the Council of Labor Affairs(CLA),appeared to be disappointed over the conclusion of the meeting,saying that she would bear the responsibility she deserves after the settlement of the policy.
A ranking official noted that the Executive Yuan meeting just attached a condition to the proposal of the basic wage screening committee of the CLA,which suggests raising the basic monthly basic pay to NT$19,047,without vetoing it.Therefore,there is no need for Wang Ju-hsuan to take responsibility for the conclusion.
The Executive Yuan meeting yesterday was jointly presided by Guan Chung-min and Hsieh Cheng-tai,both ministers without portfolio.In the wake of the meeting,Wang Ju-hsuan revealed that the meeting inclined to postpone the hike of basic monthly pay,at odds with the proposal of the CLA.The policy will be finalized by Premier Sean Chen.
Wang Ju-hsuan also adamantly opposed another proposal of the CEPD,which suggests raising the share of foreign laborers to 50%,up from 40%now,under certain conditions.
