TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Thursday the government will increase government-employed social workers' monthly salaries to between NT$42,000 (US$1,290) and NT$46,000 this year.

The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics reported a 3% salary increase this year for military personnel, civil servants, and public school teachers. Yang Ya-lan (楊雅嵐), deputy director of the social assistance department under the health ministry, said the initiative will also benefit an estimated 6,600 public social workers, per CNA.

Additionally, the ministry will continue to subsidize salaries for social workers at private organizations, Yang said. Their starting monthly pay will be raised from about NT$37,000 to nearly NT$39,000, while supervisory social workers will increase from around NT$44,000 to NT$45,500.

As of 2023, the ministry reported 19,695 social workers employed in Taiwan's public and private sectors, with 9,817 holding professional licenses. Their duties include supporting medical services, providing mental health counseling, and caring for vulnerable children, women, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

The largest number of licensed social workers are employed in medical social work, while the smallest groups are in disability and elder care. Yang said the ministry encourages social workers with more than five years of experience to pursue further training. She added that licensed social workers receive an extra monthly allowance of NT$2,000 to NT$4,000.

As of this year, more than 900,000 elderly individuals in Taiwan require long-term care, including those with dementia and disabilities. Of the roughly 50,000 home care workers, only 1,800 are under 25. The rigid promotion and salary systems are a primary factor in the labor shortage.

Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) added that the ministry hopes to improve social worker compensation to promote talent retention and attract more professionals.