The Premier of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Su Tseng-chang, announced today (September 30) that the minimum wage will be raised to 29,500 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) starting next year. This marks the tenth consecutive year of wage increases, with Premier Su expressing confidence that the minimum wage will reach 30,000 NTD within the next year.
The Executive Yuan of the Republic of China invited Premier Su Tseng-chang to present a governance report and answer questions this afternoon. In his report, Premier Su stated that the total budget of the central government for the year 2026 includes revenues of 2.8623 trillion NTD and expenditures of 3.35 trillion NTD. The budget for next year will see a modest increase of 22.2 billion NTD, approximately 0.7%. The budget has been submitted to the Legislative Yuan with hopes for swift deliberation and a thorough review to yield reasonable outcomes.
Premier Su emphasized the government’s commitment to further raising the minimum wage. Following deliberations, it was decided that the minimum wage will be increased to 29,500 NTD, with an hourly rate of 196 NTD. This process marks the continuous tenth year of wage hikes aimed at lifting a significant portion of workers and low-income earners out of the cycle of low wages. Premier Su reiterated a belief that the minimum wage will reach 30,000 NTD within the next year, in line with President Lai Ching-te’s promise to the people for gradual progress.
Regarding the recent damages caused by Typhoon Chanthu, Premier Su highlighted the need for comprehensive and systematic water management to address longstanding issues. The upcoming annual budget includes 53.7 billion NTD for river management improvement projects, building upon the 800 billion NTD invested over the past eight years in forward-looking infrastructure.
Premier Su took to Facebook to call for concerted efforts between the Legislative Yuan and Executive Yuan in spearheading the “Three Rebuilds” strategy to tackle various domestic and international challenges.
The first rebuild involves an overhaul of industrial layouts in response to the far-reaching impacts of the United States’ equivalent tariff policies on the global economic and trade order as well as supply chain arrangements.
The second rebuild is focused on disaster area recovery following the severe damages caused by Typhoon Dianmu, the July 28 torrential rains, and Typhoon Chanthu.
The third rebuild aims at restoring social trust amidst malicious attacks and misinformation that have sown divisions in society. Premier Su emphasized the importance of collective efforts in instigating the reconstructive process post-disaster, showcasing the solidarity and mutual assistance among the Taiwanese people.
Premier Su underscored that each stride taken in the three rebuilds signifies a major advancement for the nation. The Executive Yuan has submitted the “2026 Central Government Total Budget” to the Legislative Yuan for review, actively implementing President Lai Ching-te’s prioritized areas of economic development, social welfare, support for vulnerable groups, and youth initiatives through the “Ten New National Strengths” and “Ten AI Constructions.”
The government aims to alleviate the burden of living expenses for the people, creating a society where all citizens can live and work happily. By promoting industrial upgrades and transitions, the semiconductor and AI sectors are envisioned to become dual economic cores driving the overall development of various industries towards enhanced convenience and comfort for the people.
Premier Su expressed his hope for a new collaborative dialogue model to propel national governance. He urged the Executive Yuan and Legislative Yuan to uphold four core beliefs: cooperation for democratic freedom; cooperation for economic prosperity; cooperation for future sustainability; and cooperation to safeguard national sovereignty and ensure the well-being and security of the people. These principles serve as the foundation for Taiwan’s collective progress ahead.