TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) said Thursday (Aug. 22) that a minimum wage rise is likely.

The Basic Wage Commission is scheduled to meet on Sept. 4 to discuss whether the minimum monthly wage and hourly wage should be changed from Jan. 1, 2025. 

Since 2016, the basic monthly wage has risen 37% to NT$27,470 (US$859.64) from NT$20,008, while the minimum hourly wage went up 52% to NT$183 from NT$120.

Ho said she hoped the government could take better care of workers, adding the predetermined direction was a wage rise, per CNA. However, she emphasized a decision about the size of an increase was up to the Basic Wage Commission.

The commission consists of representatives from labor, employers, government, and academia. The members have paid frequent visits to opinion leaders, according to Ho.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) recently called on businesses to raise wages, leading to expectations that the commission would decide in favor of a hike. Ho named Taiwan’s economic growth and the relatively high level of inflation above 2% as arguments supporting an increase.

One of the nation’s top business organizations, the General Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday a rise between 3% and 4% could be discussed, Radio Taiwan International reported. The group said several of its members had already raised the salaries of their employees by 3% this year.