Taiwan Relaxes Incentive Eligibility and Wage Thresholds for Part-Time Workers Aged 55 or Above

Why It Matters

The measures aim to tap underutilized talent pools—women and older workers—while improving workplace safety, offering firms financial support to diversify hiring and reduce turnover costs.

Key Takeaways

• Women out of work >180 days can claim up to NT$60,000 incentive
• Employers receive NT$5,000 monthly for each flexible‑hour female hire
• Part‑time workers 55+ eligible for NT$3,500–2,500 incentives, lower wage floor
• Eligibility period reduced to 30 days; fixed‑term contracts now accepted
• Six harasser categories now face top‑level legal liability

Pulse Analysis

Taiwan is confronting two demographic challenges: a rapidly aging workforce and a persistent gender gap in labor participation. By loosening eligibility for its women re‑employment scheme, the Ministry of Labor removes the "family‑reason" barrier and offers up to NT$60,000 in staggered payments, encouraging women who have been out of the job market for six months or longer to return. The policy also nudges employers with a NT$5,000 monthly subsidy for each female employee who receives flexible hours or additional support, aligning corporate incentives with social goals and potentially boosting productivity through greater workforce diversity.

For workers aged 55 and above, the new rules lower the wage floor to one‑third of the minimum wage for those 55‑64 and one‑quarter for those 65+, making part‑time roles financially viable. Incentives of NT$3,500 and NT$2,500 respectively are payable after just 30 days of employment, and the program now embraces temporary, seasonal and project‑based contracts. This flexibility addresses the reality of gig‑economy work and helps firms retain experienced talent without committing to long‑term contracts, while older employees gain a smoother pathway back into earnings.

The Ministry also tightened sexual‑harassment safeguards by extending top‑level liability to six categories of de‑facto decision‑makers, including major shareholders and close relatives of executives. Victims can now lodge complaints directly with authorities, bypassing internal investigations that may delay justice. These comprehensive reforms signal Taiwan's commitment to inclusive growth, positioning the island as a model for other economies seeking to balance demographic pressures with equitable labor practices.