TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) suggested that paid parental leave should be increased to seven months at a National Development Council (NDC) meeting on Wednesday (Oct. 31).

Speaking to the NDC’s economic development committee, Chou asked that laws related to parental leave be reviewed next year. He said this should include increasing paid parental leave by one month, per CNA.

The government supports those who return home from work for a “second shift” looking after children, Cho said. He said increased parental leave would allow people to balance their work and family lives and reduce pressure on those raising children.

Cho also asked the ministry to continue its trial of providing flexible parental leave options that were implemented in May. He said the program should be carefully evaluated and used as a reference for future policy changes.

The labor ministry should also consider additional incentives to help women, the middle-aged, and the elderly to return to work, Cho said. He said that barriers should be removed and employers should be rewarded for employing these groups.

He suggested the labor ministry return 35,000 women to the workforce between 2025 and 2028. Also, the ministry should aim to return 120,000 middle-aged and elderly people to work in the same period, he said.