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Page 1: 2008 Benefits and Employment Terms Taiwan - Winkler Partners _Wyatt_ETC_TW_2008.pdf · analyzed and transformed information (the “Transformed Data”). WWDS hereby grants the Licensee

2008 Benefits and

Employment Terms Taiwan

Watson Wyatt Data Services

Page 2: 2008 Benefits and Employment Terms Taiwan - Winkler Partners _Wyatt_ETC_TW_2008.pdf · analyzed and transformed information (the “Transformed Data”). WWDS hereby grants the Licensee

Overview of Watson Wyatt Data Services Reports ASIA PACIFIC REPORTS

Benefits Report – Asia Pacific Employment Terms and Conditions – Asia Pacific Asia Pacific Survey Report on Employee Benefits Car Policy Report – Asia WorkAsiaTM Benefits and Employment Terms by Country: Australia China Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Korea Malaysia Philippines Singapore Taiwan Thailand Vietnam

Compensation Reports by Country: Australia Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Korea Malaysia Philippines Singapore Taiwan Thailand Vietnam

Compensation Reports – China: Local Chinese Nationals Western & Asian Expatriates Hong Kong Expatriates

Director Remuneration & Corporate Governance – An Analysis of Hong Kong and Mainland Companies Listed in Hong Kong Sales and Marketing Compensation Report – Asia Pacific Foreign Sourced Employees Compensation and Benefit Policies – Asia Pacific

EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN REPORTS

Global 50 Remuneration Planning Report Benefits Report – Europe Employment Terms & Conditions – Europe Benefits & Employment Terms Report – By Country Company Car Report – Europe Top Management Compensation – Europe, Israel and USA Compensation Reports by Country: Argentina Austria Belgium Brazil Bulgaria Chile Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Dominican Republic EI Salvador Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Guatemala Honduras Hungary Ireland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Mexico Netherlands Nicaragua Norway Panama Paraguay Peru Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Romania Russia Serbia and Montenegro Slovak Republic Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom United States* Uruguay Venezuela

* Focus reports by industry, job family and geographic location are also available. HR REFERENCE MANUALS

Communications: Exhibit Book of Employee Opinion Surveys Exhibit Book of Employee Handbooks Exhibit Book of Compensation Communication Handbooks Exhibit Book of Benefit Communication Programs Exhibit Books of Position Descriptions

Personnel Policies: Exhibit Books of Personnel Policies Exhibit Book of Alternative Work Arrangements Exhibit Book of Emergency Preparedness Protocols Exhibit Book of Expatriate Personnel Policies Exhibit Book of Employee Relocation Policies Exhibit Book of Employment Contracts and Severance Pay Programs

Pay for Performance: Decision Maker’s Guide to Salary Management The Complete Variable Pay Collection Manual of Sales Incentive Plans Exhibit Book of Annual Bonus Plans The Complete Long-Term Incentive Collection Exhibit Book of Employee Recognition Plans & Other Low Cost Reward Programs Exhibit Book of Performance Management Programs

hrresource.watsonwyatt.com

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2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan iii

  Watson Wyatt  Data Services 

This report is produced by Watson Wyatt Data Services — Asia Pacific, your gateway to human capital information resources. Serving clients worldwide, Watson Wyatt Data Services — Asia Pacific is dedicated to producing timely and comprehensive reports oncompensation, benefits and employment practices in the Asia Pacific region.  

Contact Us  

We  are  always  pleased  to  receive  your  questions,  comments  and  suggestions concerning  this  report. Our  colleagues who  can  give  you  a  speedy  reply  are  listedbelow.  

SINGAPORE  HONG KONG  

Betty Chan Watson Wyatt Singapore Pte. Ltd. 135 Cecil Street #09‐01 Singapore 069536 Tel: (65) 6880 5688 Fax: (65) 6880 5699 Email: [email protected] 

Karen Nip  Watson Wyatt Hong Kong Ltd  29/F., Sun Hung Kai Centre  30 Harbour Road  Hong Kong  Tel: (852) 2827‐8833  Fax: (852) 2827‐7700  Email: [email protected]  

   Taiwan 

Josephine Chow Watson Wyatt & Company, Taiwan Branch 5F, 205 Tun Hwa North Road Taipei 105, Taiwan Republic of China Tel: (886) 2‐2718‐3314 Fax: (886) 2‐2719‐7438/0246 Email: [email protected] 

 

    

For more  information concerning other regional reference reports and services, please contact us at the addresses listed on this page or refer to the Appendices section of this report for the Watson Wyatt office nearest to you.   Alternatively, you could visit our website at http://hrresource.watsonwyatt.com.  

License Agreement  Copyright © 2003‐2008 Wyatt Data Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 

     This  license  agreement  is  entered  into  by  and  between Watson Wyatt Data  Services

(“WWDS”)  and  the  Licensee.  In  consideration  of  the  mutual  covenants  in  thisagreement WWDS and the licensee agree as follows:   Grant  of  License.  All  WWDS  publications  contain  the  compilation  of  certaincompensation data and materials provided  to WWDS by  its  survey participants  intoanalyzed  and  transformed  information  (the  “Transformed  Data”).  WWDS  hereby grants  the  Licensee  a  nonexclusive,  nontransferable,  limited  license  to  use  theTransformed  Data  as  permitted  by  this  agreement.  The  license  of  any  form  ofTransformed Data  constitutes acceptance by  the Licensee of  the  following  terms and 

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2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan iv

conditions: The Licensee has the right to manipulate and modify the Transformed Dataand to reproduce and excerpt it in reports or memoranda created by the Licensee in theregular course of business.  It may not distribute  the Transformed Data  for any other use. Any use of  the Transformed Data  that  is  included  in  any  report or  analysis  forinternal  or  external  parties  in  the  regular  course  of  business must  acknowledge  thesource of the Transformed Data as Watson Wyatt Data Services.  Limitations on Use. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Licensee maynot,  in  any  way  or  manner,  reproduce,  display,  rent,  lend  or  resell,  relicense,commercially  exploit,  adapt,  or  redistribute  in  any  fashion  the  Transformed  Data.The  Licensee must  not  permit  public  access  to  the  Transformed Data.  The  Licenseeshall not  assign,  sublicense, or otherwise  transfer  this  license  agreement without  theprior written  consent of WWDS. The Licensee may not use  the Transformed Data  inany form, the name of the Transformed Data reports or the name Watson Wyatt Data Services in any type of marketing or sales activities.  Rights In Data. The Transformed Data is the confidential and proprietary informationof WWDS  and  may  not  be  reproduced,  displayed,  adapted,  resold  or  distributed without WWDS’s prior written consent. This License Agreement does not convey to theLicensee  any  proprietary  or  other  ownership  of  the  Transformed  Data  or  theunderlying compensation data. The Licensee acknowledges that WWDS and/or WatsonWyatt  &  Company  own  the  underlying  compensation  data  and  Transformed  Dataincluding all copyrights, patents, trade secrets and other proprietary rights therein.  Warranties Disclaimed.WWDS assumes no responsibility of any kind, oral or written,express  or  implied,  including  but  not  limited  to,  fitness  for  a  particular  purpose,accuracy, omissions, completeness, and currentness of information. WWDS shall in noevent whatsoever  be  liable  to  licensee  or  any  other  party  for  any  indirect,  special,consequential,  incidental,  or  similar  damages,  including  damages  for  lost  data  oreconomic  loss, even  if WWDS or Watson Wyatt has been notified of the possibility ofsuch  loss.  Some  jurisdictions  do  not  allow  the  exclusion  or  limitation  of  impliedwarranties  or  liability  for  incidental  or  consequential  damages,  in which  case  theseprovisions may not be fully applicable. This paragraph shall survive the termination ofthis license agreement.  Term. This license agreement will have a term of 10 years. WWDS reserves the right to terminate  this  license  agreement upon written  notice  to  the Licensee  if  the Licenseebreaches  any  of  the  terms  of  this  Agreement.  In  addition,  if  WWDS,  in  its  solejudgment, believes that the Transformed Data is being used for a purpose not approvedby WWDS, that WWDSʹs rights are being jeopardized, or that the Licensee is in defaultunder  this  agreement, WWDS may  immediately  terminate  this  agreement  and  theLicensee shall immediately return all Transformed Data, in whatever form, to WWDS.  

  Governing  Law.  This  License  Agreement  shall  be  governed  by  and  construed  inaccordance with  the  laws of  the State of New  Jersey. The Licensee hereby agrees  thatthe United Nations Convention on Contracts for  the  International Sale of Goods shallnot apply to any part of this license agreement.  Entire  Agreement.  This  License  Agreement  constitutes  the  entire  understandingbetween the parties. This License Agreement supersedes any and all prior agreements,understandings, or other  communications between  the parties  concerning  the  subject matter  of  this  License  Agreement.  If  any  provision  of  this  License  Agreement  isdeclared  to be  invalid,  such provision  shall be  severed  from  this License Agreementand the other provisions hereof shall be in full force and effect. 

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2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About This Report .......................................................................................................................................1 BENEFITS

1 Overview of Benefits..............................................................................................................................61.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................61.2 New Developments.........................................................................................................................61.3 Key Data .........................................................................................................................................7

2 Statutory Benefits ..................................................................................................................................82.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................82.2 Retirement Benefits ......................................................................................................................112.3 Death Benefits ..............................................................................................................................152.4 Disability Benefits..........................................................................................................................152.5 Worker’s Compensation ...............................................................................................................162.6 Healthcare Benefits.......................................................................................................................172.7 Other Mandatory Employee Benefits............................................................................................202.8 Severance Payments....................................................................................................................212.9 Summary of Contributions ............................................................................................................23

3 Company Benefit Practice ..................................................................................................................243.1 Overview.......................................................................................................................................243.2 Major Laws and Supervisory Bodies ............................................................................................243.3 Funding Methods ..........................................................................................................................243.4 Customary Retirement Plan Structure ..........................................................................................253.5 Death and Disability Benefit..........................................................................................................263.6 Healthcare Benefits (Other Group Insurance Programs)..............................................................263.7 Other Benefits ...............................................................................................................................283.8 Severance Payments....................................................................................................................28

4 Taxation of Benefits.............................................................................................................................294.1 Contributions.................................................................................................................................294.2 Benefits .........................................................................................................................................304.3 Taxable Income ............................................................................................................................30

5 Comparison of Statutory Benefits and Company Benefits..............................................................325.1 Retirement Benefits ......................................................................................................................325.2 Death and Disability Benefits ........................................................................................................335.3 Worker’s Compensation ...............................................................................................................335.4 Healthcare Benefits.......................................................................................................................345.5 Severance Payments....................................................................................................................34

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan vi

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

1 Overview ...............................................................................................................................................361.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................361.2 New Developments.......................................................................................................................36

2 Country Profile .....................................................................................................................................37

2.1 People and Population..................................................................................................................372.2 Government and Political Structure ..............................................................................................372.3 Economic and Business Environment ..........................................................................................372.4 Taxation ........................................................................................................................................38

3 Employment Law..................................................................................................................................393.1 Legal Influence..............................................................................................................................393.2 Hierarchy of Laws .........................................................................................................................40

4 Employment Issues .............................................................................................................................494.1 Contract of Employment ...............................................................................................................494.2 Approval of Foreign Nationals ......................................................................................................54

5 Working Conditions .............................................................................................................................615.1 Pay................................................................................................................................................615.2 Working Hours ..............................................................................................................................615.3 Holidays and Leave ......................................................................................................................635.4 Equal Opportunities ......................................................................................................................665.5 Health and Safety .........................................................................................................................685.6 Training .........................................................................................................................................705.7 Sickness and Disability, Pensions, and Life Assurance ...............................................................705.8 Secrecy, Patents, and Copyright ..................................................................................................74

6 Industrial Relations..............................................................................................................................796.1 Bodies Involved With Industrial Relations.....................................................................................796.2 Collective Bargaining ....................................................................................................................816.3 Strikes and Other Industrial Actions .............................................................................................826.4 Settlement and Mediation Proceedings ........................................................................................83

7 Termination of Employment ...............................................................................................................867.1 Change of Contract.......................................................................................................................867.2 Types of Contracts........................................................................................................................877.3 Termination During Probation.......................................................................................................877.4 Types of Terminations ..................................................................................................................887.5 Termination Benefits .....................................................................................................................907.6 Unfair Dismissals ..........................................................................................................................927.7 Dismissals of Union Representatives ...........................................................................................927.8 Dismissals of Managerial Employees ...........................................................................................927.9 Collective Dismissals ....................................................................................................................93

Useful Addresses ......................................................................................................................................94

Exchange Rates .........................................................................................................................................95 Watson Wyatt in Asia Pacific ...................................................................................................................96

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2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 1

  ABOUT THIS REPORT

2008  Benefits  and  Employment  Terms  —  Taiwan  is  divided  into  two  main  sections. The Benefits  section  sets out  employee benefits  law and practice  covering  retirement,death  and  disability,  health  care,  social  security  benefits  and  severance  pay. Supplementary retirement plan design,  funding methods, market benefit practice and taxation  of  benefits  are  also  included.  The  Employment  Terms  and  Conditions section details  employment  law  and  practice  covering  contract  of  employment,  workingconditions, industrial relations and termination of employment.  

Benefits  Overview of Benefits A discussion of the factors influencing the provision of statutory and company benefits,and a summary of new developments.  

  Statutory Benefits A  comprehensive  review  of mandatory  benefits  such  as  retirement, death, disability and medical schemes. Also included here are those company‐paid items mandated by law.  

  Company Benefits Practice A  detailed  description  of  benefit  practice  among  private  employers with  regard  toretirement  plan  design,  benefit  amounts,  contributions,  vesting  and  portability  and funding  methods.  The  usual  market  practice  of  benefits  and  perquisites  are  alsohighlighted.  

  Taxation of Benefits A quick reference guide to the taxation of benefits.  

  Comparison of Statutory Benefits and Company Benefits A quick reference table comparing statutory and company retirement plans, death anddisability  benefits, worker’s  compensation,  health  care  benefits,  severance  paymentsand perquisites.  

Employment Terms  Overview and Country Profile A discussion of the demographics, political and economic environment of the country, factors influencing employment laws and a summary of new developments.   

  Employment Law This  section  explains  the  legal  basis  for  deciding  matters  related  to  employment conditions.  Items  covered  here  typically  include  the  country’s  constitution,  statutes,and  royal or ministerial decrees. This  is an  especially useful  section  for  readers whowish  to know which sources of  law are of  increasing  importance  in  the  resolution of questions or disputes.  

  Employment Issues The  most  significant  aspects  relating  to  the  fundamental  relationship  between  theemployee and the employer are reported here. Key items covered include: definition ofand  conditions  required  for  a  valid  contract,  types  of  employees,  and  trial  or probationary  periods.  This  section  also  contains  valuable  information  about  workpermits and visas.  

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ABOUT THIS REPORT

2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 2

  Working Conditions This section covers laws pertaining to wages and salaries, working hours, holidays andleave, discrimination, occupational health and safety,  training, sickness and disabilitybenefits, pensions and life assurance, and patents and copyright.  

  Industrial Relations The various  labor councils and unions  that are  involved  in or  influence  the country’s industrial  relations  policies  are  discussed  in  this  section.  Also  mentioned  are  theramifications of collective bargaining that  includes  items which are  legitimate mattersof  negotiation,  the  usual  length  of  agreements,  registration,  interpretation  andenforcement of agreement. The mechanisms of industrial relations, including the basiclegal framework of strikes, lockouts, and other forms of employee or employer actionsare also discussed.  

  Termination of Employment This  section  addresses  contract modification  and  suspension,  individual  termination, types of  termination, severance pay and other  termination  indemnities, and collectiveand  managerial  dismissals.  Also  included  are  the  various  compensatory  actionsrequired or offered by employers  in  the event of wrongful dismissal and  termination without notice.  

Appendix  Useful Addresses   

Contributors  Josephine Chow and Regina Chu Watson Wyatt Taiwan [email protected] [email protected]  

  Tina Chen (email:  [email protected])  is a senior paralegal who specializes  in employment  issues, work visas and  immigration, as well as  intellectual property andcorporate matters including trademark enforcement and contracts.   Lloyd Roberts (email: [email protected]), Winkler Partners’ publications and promotions associate.   Tina and Lloyd updated  the chapter on Taiwan with  the help of a  team of associatesmade up by   Christine Chen, a senior associate who specializes  in corporate,  fair  trade,  labor  issuesand intellectual property law;   Lewis Chen, Winkler Partners’ head librarian and legal researcher;   Chih‐shan Lee, a senior associate who specializes  in civil  law, corporate  law, anti‐trust issues, and securities law;   Liu Yen‐ling, a senior associate who practices company  law, securities  law,  labor  law, and general civil and criminal law.   

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ABOUT THIS REPORT

2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 3

Also Available  2008  Benefits  and  Employment  Terms  —  by  Country  is  available  for  13countries/locations in Asia Pacific. Clients who oversee the Asia Pacific region maywish to refer to the two reports mentioned below.  

2008 Benefits Report — Asia Pacific provides employee benefit laws and practices for the  14  countries/locations in  Asia  Pacific,  covering  in  detail  topics  such  as retirement, death, disability,  and medical  schemes. Plan design,  benefit  amounts, funding methods and tax implications are also included.  

2008 Employment Terms and Conditions — Asia Pacific sets out employment laws and practices  for  the  same  countries/locations  (excluding Macau),  covering  in  detail issues such as sources of  law, start of employment, working conditions,  industrialrelations,  termination  of  employment,  residency  requirements  and  many  othertopics.  

 Contact Us  It  is  always  our  pleasure  to  receive  your  comments,  questions  and  suggestions 

concerning this report. For matters pertaining to a particular country, we suggest thatyou contact  the  respective Watson Wyatt office, as  indicated  in  the end pages of  thisreport. For all other matters, please contact Betty Chan  in Singapore or Karen Nip  in Hong Kong. 

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2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 5

BENEFITS TABLE OF CONTENTS

 1 Overview of Benefits

1.1 Introduction 1.2 New Developments 1.3 Key Data

2 Statutory Benefits 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Retirement Benefits 2.3 Death Benefits 2.4 Disability Benefits 2.5 Worker’s Compensation 2.6 Healthcare Benefits 2.7 Other Mandatory Employee Benefits 2.8 Severance Payments 2.9 Summary of Contributions

3 Company Benefit Practice 3.1 Overview 3.2 Major Laws and Supervisory Bodies 3.3 Funding Methods 3.4 Customary Retirement Plan Structure 3.5 Death and Disability Benefit 3.6 Healthcare Benefits (Other Group Insurance

Programs) 3.7 Other Benefits 3.8 Severance Payments

4 Taxation of Benefits 4.1 Contributions 4.2 Benefits 4.3 Taxable Income

5 Comparison of Statutory Benefits and Company Benefits 5.1 Retirement Benefits 5.2 Death and Disability Benefits 5.3 Worker’s Compensation 5.4 Healthcare Benefits 5.5 Severance Payments

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Taiwan

2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 6

1 OVERVIEW OF BENEFITS 1.1 Introduction

 Under Social Security, an employee in Taiwan is covered by two insurance programs, Labor  Insurance  (LI),  including  Employment  Insurance  (EI),  and  National  HealthInsurance  (NHI). LI provides monetary  compensation  to workers  in  the  case of non‐occupational  and occupational  illnesses or  injuries, as well as disabilities,  retirement, and death. Unemployment benefit  is provided under EI. NHI provides non‐monetary medical  care benefit  coverage  for both hospitalization  and outpatient  care,  includingdental and optical care. The NHI and LI (including EI) programs are two independent systems with different benefits, premium rates, insured salary caps, and administrativeagencies.  In addition to benefits covered by Social Security, private companies are stipulated bythe Labor Standards Law and Labor Pension Act to provide other mandatory benefits to employees. Multinational companies  typically provide benefits exceeding  the  localpractice.  In particular, additional coverage  for  life and accidental  injury  insurance, aswell as medical benefits, is often provided.  

  Several laws that set down statutory minimum provisions are the key determinants ofthe scope and amount of benefits  to be provided  to employees. The  following are  theseven main areas of legislation: 

(1)  Labor Standards Law  (2)  Labor Pension Act  (3)  Labor Insurance Act  (4)  Employment Insurance Act  (5)  National Health Insurance Act  (6)  Gender Equality in Employment Law (7)  Employee’s Welfare Funds Act   

  1.2 New Developments      The National Pension Act was promulgated on August 8, 2007 and 

will become effective October 1, 2008.  

Revision  of  the  Labor  Insurance Act has  been  scheduled  and  is awaiting legislative approval. 

 

  See 2.1

See 2.1.1

The  premium  rate  of  Labor  Insurance,  including  EmploymentInsurance,  has  been  proposed  to  be  increased  to  7%  from  thecurrent 6.5%. 

  The premium rate of Employment Insurance has been proposed to be reduced from 1% to 0.5%.  

 

See 2.1.1

See 2.1.1

The minimum wage was increased from 15,840 NT dollars (TWD) to TWD17,280 effective July 1, 2007.  

 

See 2.2.1

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OVERVIEW OF BENEFITS Taiwan  1.2 New Developments ___________________________________________________________________________

2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 7

Salary  tables  for  Labor  Insurance,  the  Labor  Pension  Act,  and National  Health  Insurance  have  been  revised  following  the increase in the minimum wage, effective July 1, 2007.  

See 2.2.3, 2.6.1

A Labor Pension Fund Subcommittee has been  formed under  the Labor Pension Act.  

See 2.2.3

    The employer‐paid occupational  injury  insurance premium under 

Labor  Insurance  has  been  amended  and  will  become  effective January 1, 2008. It ranges from 0.05% to 2.97%.  

 

See 2.5.2

The  national  holiday  celebrating  President  Chiang  Kai‐shek’s birthday has been proposed to be removed. 

  Parental  leave  allowance  has  been  proposed  under  an  amended provision of Employment Insurance. 

See 2.7.2

See 2.7.11 

    

  1.3 Key Data     

2006 2007 2008

Population (millions)2 22.7 22.9 22.9

Unemployment rate2 3.9% 3.9% 3.9%

Consumer prices (% change per annum, average)1 0.6% 1.1%* 1.4%*

GDP (% real change per annum)1 4.7% 4.3%* 4.4%*

Marginal personal income tax rate2 40.0% 40.0% 40.0%

Compensation breakpoint for marginal personal income tax rate (effective July 1, 2007)2

TWD3,720,000 TWD3,720,000 TWD3,720,000

  

* Estimates Sources: 1 Economist Intelligence Unit, July 2007. 2 Taipei National Tax Administration, Ministry of Finance.  

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Taiwan

2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 8

  2 STATUTORY BENEFITS 2.1 Introduction

     Under social security, Labor Insurance (LI) covers retirement benefits, death payments,

and  worker’s  compensation  due  to  non‐occupational  and  occupational  illnesses, injuries, or disabilities. Employment  Insurance  (EI) covers  the unemployment benefit.National Health Insurance (NHI) provides non‐cash medical care benefits coverage for both hospitalization and outpatient care, including dental and optical care. The LI andEI schemes, which are contributed  to by employers, employees, and government, areindependent systems with different administrative agencies. The National Pension Act, which will be effective October 1, 2008, was promulgated August 8, 2007 to ensure the basic insurances when employees become old and/or disabled, as well as the stability of the lives of their relatives,   In addition  to social security, private enterprises are required by  the Labor StandardsLaw  (LSL)  and  the  Labor  Pension  Act  (LPA)  to  provide  mandatory  benefits  toemployees.  The LSL sets out  the minimum requirements of employment benefits and conditions, such  as  retirement  benefits,  severance  pay,  leave  of  absence,  and  compensation  foroccupational  disease  and  injury.  The  purpose  of  the  LSL  is  to  protectlaborers’/employees’ rights and interests, as well as to improve the social and economic development  of  the  country.  The  LPA,  which  regulates  a  portable  and  definedcontribution pension scheme, has been effective since July 1, 2005 and will eventuallyreplace  the LSL  retirement  scheme. Unlike plans under LI,  the government does not contribute to the LSL and LPA.   

2.1.1  Labor Insurance Act 

The  Labor  Insurance  Act  (LIA)  was  promulgated  in  1958.  It  provides  insurancecoverage  for  non‐occupational  and  occupational  illnesses  or  injuries,  as well  as  fordeath, disabilities, and retirement. Employees between the ages of 15 and 60 and whoare working for companies with five or more employees are required to participate inLI.  This  program  provides  the  statutory  base  for  the  compulsory  social  securitycoverage of a large number of Taiwan’s workforce.  The government has proposed extending LI coverage to all workers, regardless of thenumber  of  employees  an  employer  has,  in  order  to  protect  all  employees.Amended provisions of the LIA are in the process of gaining legislative approval. The revised Act will  also  extend  coverage  to workers who have  received old  age benefit payments under LI  and  allow  coverage up  to  the  age  of  65. Changing  the payment option  for  the old age benefit  from a  lump sum payment  to an annuity has also been discussed under the provisions.  To improve the financing of LI, the Council of Labor Affairs has proposed changing the LI premium rate to 7% from the current 6.5%. This rate will comprise two parts: 6.5% is for LI and 0.5% is for Employment Insurance (see 2.1.5 Employment Insurance Act).  

2.1.2  National Health Insurance Act 

 

NHI  became  effective  on March  1,  1995.  This mandatory  system  provides  universalhealthcare  coverage  to  all people  in Taiwan. NHI provides  family medical  attention,including  coverage  for  outpatient,  inpatient,  dental  and  maternity  expenses preventative care, and sickness benefits.  

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2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 9

2.1.3  Labor Standards Law 

 

The LSL was promulgated in August 1984. Before May 1, 1997, it covered only 60% ofindustries,  mainly  in  the  areas  of  manufacturing,  utilities,  telecommunications, transportation, and mining. Coverage has been extended to almost all industries sincethe end of 1998. It is important to note that the retirement benefits required by the LSLare being replaced by the LPA. Since July 1, 2005, all businesses subject to the LSL are required to provide the new pension scheme under the LPA to all eligible employees.  

2.1.4  Labor Pension Act 

The LPA was promulgated on June 30, 2004 and came into effect on July 1, 2005. It was enacted  to  enhance  employees’  standard of  living after  retirement,  strengthening  the relationships between employees and employers, and promoting social and economic development. All companies and employees covered by the LSL will be subject to the LPA, excluding employees whose pension funds shall be set aside  in accordance with the Private School Law.  The  following  individuals may voluntarily make contributions and claim  for pensionfund payments in accordance with this Act: 

domestic  employees  who  are  not  subject  to  the  LSL  and  have  obtained  their employers’ consent to contribute to the pension funds on their behalf 

employers who perform labor 

commissioned managers  Taiwan national employees who were subject to the LSL prior to July 1, 2005 and still work  for  the same business entity after  that date may choose  to remain subject  to  the pension mechanism under the LSL. Those employees also have the option of choosing between  LSL  or  LPA  pension  schemes  until  July  1,  2010. However,  once  a Taiwan national employee has opted  to be  subject  to  the LPA pension mechanism, he or  she cannot revert to the pension mechanism under the LSL. His or her seniority prior to the enforcement of  the LPA shall be maintained. However,  if such employees  leave  their current employer and are re‐employed, they shall be subject to the pension mechanism under the LPA. Non‐Taiwan national employees shall only be subject to the retirementplan under the LSL.  

  After  the  inception  of  the  LPA,  some multinational  companies  provided  a  definedcontribution  top‐up  plan  to  employees  on  top  of  the  LPA  retirement  benefits.In  summary,  the  LSL  retirement  regulations  and  LPA  retirement  regulations  are  asfollows:  

  Item Labor Standards Law (LSL) Labor Pension Act (LPA)

Type of plan Defined benefit Defined contribution

Employer contribution rate At least 2% of total payroll (applies only to employees hired before July 1, 2005) to the designated trust company, the Bank of Taiwan. “True” cost is likely to differ from the minimum contribution rate and can only be appropriately estimated through actuarial valuation.

No less than 6% of the employee’s monthly wage with a maximum contribution salary of TWD150,000, subject to the Table of Monthly Wages and Contribution Rates in 2.2.3 Labor Pension Act.

  

Continue on next page  

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  Item LSL LPA

Cost sharing Full cost is borne by the employer. Employers’ minimum cost is targeted around 6% of employees’ salaries.

The employee may make voluntary contributions of up to 6% of his or her salary, subject to a cap of TWD150,000 per month.

Employee benefit 2 units* per year for the first 15 years of service;

1 unit per year for service after 15 years of service;

Maximum of 45 units (at 30 years of service)

(*unit = final monthly salary)

Total amount accumulated in the employee’s individual account plus investment return.

Service credit Employer-dependent Portable

Benefit type Lump sum If Individual Pension Fund Account Scheme is applied: lump sum or monthly payment, depending on years of service.

Lump sum payment: age 60 with less than 15 years of LPA contribution service or death.

Monthly payment: age 60 with more than 15 years of LPA contribution service.

If Annuity Insurance Scheme is applied: annuity.

Retirement eligibility

Voluntary retirement:

at least age 55 with 15 years of service; or

25 years of service regardless of age.

Mandatory retirement:

upon reaching age 60; or

disability that renders the employee incapable of performing work.

Same as LSL

Payment eligibility Retirement eligibility or request for early retirement

Age 60

Death

Flexibility of funding Yes Yes, with minimum 6%

Fund carrier Bank of Taiwan Bureau of Labor Insurance  

   2.1.5   Employment 

Insurance Act  

The Employment Insurance (EI) Act came into effect in January 2003. The main purpose of  this Act  is  to enhance  labor skills and  facilitate  the employment process. There are four  allowances  included  in  EI:  unemployment  allowance,  advance  employment subsidy, vocational training living allowance, and NHI premium subsidy.  

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  Under  the  amended  provisions  of  EI,  parental  leave  allowance  is  proposed  to  be provided  and  to  be  paid  for  up  to  six months  at  a  rate  of  40–50%  of  total  average insured salary.    

  2.2 Retirement Benefits      The major statutory systems  that provide retirement benefits are  the Labor Standards 

Law (LSL), Labor Insurance Act (LIA), Labor Pension Act (LPA), and National Pension Act  (NPA), which will  be  effective October  1, 2008. LI  coverage  includes  retirement, death, disability, unemployment benefits, and worker’s compensation.  Currently, an employee can receive benefits from two sources upon retirement if he orshe works  for a company covered by  the LSL:  the company must provide at  least 45months of full salary for 30 years of service under the LSL retirement plan; and Labor Insurance’s (LI’s) old age benefit provides up to 45 months of insured salary.  Following  the  inception of  the LPA  in  July 1, 2005, workers covered by  the LSL may claim  the  retirement  benefits  set  forth  in  the  LPA, which  requires  an  employer  to contribute no  less  than 6% of  the employee’s monthly wages  to a portable  individual pension fund account.  

2.2.1   Labor Insurance  Eligibility LI provides retirement, unemployment, disability, and death benefits to cover ordinaryrisks as well as occupational risks (including work injury and occupational diseases) toworkers  in  the  15  to  60  age  group  employed  in  organizations  with  five  or  moreworkers.  Foreign  workers  are  also  covered  under  LI.  An  establishment  cannot  bewithdrawn from coverage even if the number of employees or workers employed fallsbelow five.  Retirement Age Under LI, lump sum benefits are payable under any of the following conditions: 

when an insured male employee reaches age 60, or a female employee reaches age55, provided he or she has accumulated at least one year of LI membership, 

when an employee with at least 15 years of LI membership reaches age 55, 

when an employee with at least 25 years of LI membership reaches age 50, 

when an insured employee has been in the plan for 25 consecutive years under the same insuring entity, and 

when  an  employee  working  for  more  than  five  years  in  certified  dangerousconditions requiring physical labor reaches age 55. 

 The retirement benefits of an insured employee who continues to work after age 60 are payable at age 65. The maximum amount cannot exceed 50 months’ insured salary evenif he or she continues to work beyond age 65.  Retirement Benefit Old age benefits (retirement benefits) under LI are calculated based on insured salary, currently capped at the ceiling of TWD43,900 per month. The insured salary ceiling was revised  from  TWD42,000  to  TWD43,900  on  July  1,  2006,  and  the minimum  insured salary was revised from TWD15,840 to TWD17,280 on July 1, 2007.  

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The retirement benefit  is a  lump sum payment equal  to one month’s average  insuredsalary per year of LI membership up  to 15 years, plus  two months’ average  insuredsalary per year of LI membership beyond 15 years, up  to a maximum payment of 45months’ average insured salary.   “Average insured salary” is defined as the average monthly insured salary over the lastthree years of LI coverage. An LI coverage of  less than six months  is counted as zero, but coverage of six months or more is counted as one full year.   Contribution  LI premiums are expressed as a percentage of the insured worker’s monthly insurancesalary  up  to  a  current monthly maximum  of  TWD43,900.  (The minimum monthly insured salary is TWD17,280.) The LI premium rates are of two types: non work‐related accident and work‐related accident. For the first, the contribution is equal to 5.5% of theinsured person’s monthly insured salary, with 70% of it paid by the employer, 20% bythe  employee,  and  10%  by  the  government. Occupational  injury  insurance premiumrates vary, ranging from 0.06% to 3% of the insured person’s monthly insurance salary,as stipulated in the Table of Categories of Occupations and Premium Rates Applicablefor Occupational Injury Insurance, which is only paid by the employer (implemented asof January 1, 2005 and adjusted at least once every three years). The new occupational injury  insurance premium will  take  effect beginning  January  1,  2008,  and will  range from 0.05% to 2.97%.  

2.2.2   Labor Standards Law 

The  LSL  stipulates  the  minimum  statutory  standards  on  employment  terms  and conditions.  It  includes  a  defined  benefit  retirement  scheme  and  compensation  foroccupational deaths, injuries, and disabilities.  

  

Retirement Age Under the LSL, an employee retires under the following conditions: 

Mandatory retirement: 

upon reaching age 60, or   when he or she is mentally or physically disabled and unable to perform his or

her duties. 

Voluntary retirement: 

when he or she is aged 55 or above with 15 or more years of service, or  when he or she has 25 or more years of service. 

 Retirement Benefits LSL  retirement benefits are  in  the  form of a  lump  sum payment,  covering both  localand  foreign  employees. This  benefit  is  equal  to  two months  of  average  earnings  foreach year of service up to 15 years of service, and to one month of average earnings for each  year  of  service  beyond  the  15th  year, with  a maximum  benefit  of  45 months’average  earnings.  The  aforementioned  year(s)  of  service  refers  to  the  service  yearscovered under the LSL retirement plan. For this purpose, “average earnings” is defined as the average monthly full salary, including all regular remuneration over the last sixmonths of employment. A fractional year of service of less than six months is countedas half a year, but as one full year for six months of service or more.   Contribution Companies are mandated to make a minimum 2% contribution of the company’s totalpayroll  (only  applied  to  employees  hired  before  July  1,  2005)  to  its  pension  fund 

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account in the Bank of China (BOT, and formerly known as Central Trust of China) for LSL pension  liability. The  actual  cost  is  subject  to  the number,  salary,  seniority,  andturnover  rate  of  a  company’s  employees. Additional  pension  contribution  has  to  bemade over a period of  five years  from  July 1, 2005  such  that  the  company’s pension fund in the BOT is sufficient to cover such employees’ pension liabilities.  

2.2.3   Labor Pension Act 

The  LSL  sets  forth  the  employer’s  obligation  of  providing  retirement  benefits  toemployees. However,  the  eligibility  for  the  benefit  is  too  stringent. The  government therefore proposed to stipulate a portable pension system, the LPA, for new employeeswho are not likely to receive the LSL retirement benefit entitlement.  

  Eligibility Taiwan national employees who were subject to the LSL prior to July 1, 2005 and still work  for  the same business entity after  this date may choose  to remain subject  to  the pension  mechanism  under  the  LSL.  Those  employees  also  have  the  option  untilJuly  1,  2010  of  choosing  between  LSL  or  LPA  pension  schemes.  However,  once  a Taiwan national employee becomes subject  to the LPA pension mechanism, he or she cannot  revert  to  the  pension mechanism under  the LSL. Their  seniority  prior  to  the enforcement  of  the  LPA  shall  be maintained.  However,  if  they  leave  their  current employer and are re‐employed, they shall be subject to the pension mechanism underthe LPA.  Foreign  (non‐Taiwan national)  employees  are not  eligible  for  this programand are subject to the LSL retirement plan.  Retirement Age Those  who  are  subject  to  the  LPA  may  claim  pension  payments  if  they  meet  the following criteria: 

Age 60 and above with 15 or more LPA contribution years: 

entitled to monthly pension payments; and  each  installment  is  calculated  based  on  the  annuity  life  chart,  average  life 

expectancy, interest rate, and other factors. 

Age 60 and above, but with less than 15 LPA contribution years:  

entitled to a lump sum pension payment; and  the principal and accrued return are claimed in full at one time. 

 Retirement Benefits Under  the  LPA,  there  are  two schemes  to  choose  from:  the  “Individual  Account Scheme”  and  the  “Private Annuity  Insurance  Scheme.” An  employer with  over  200employees may purchase annuity  insurance according to the Insurance Law  in  lieu ofcontributing to any labor pension fund, provided that the employer obtains the consentof  a  labor union  or  of  over half  of  its  employees.  If  less  than half  of  the  employeesdecide  to  participate  in  the  annuity  insurance  scheme,  it  shall  not  be  implemented.Currently,  the  Individual Account Scheme  is under  the government’s custody, which guarantees  a minimum  investment  return  at  a  two‐year  time  deposit  rate. A  Labor Pension Fund Subcommittee was formed on July 1, 2007 to monitor the capital gain of pension  funds under  the  LPA.  In  the  event  that  the  fund  has  a  lower  return,  the government Treasury will make up the difference.   Contribution  The  Bureau  of  Labor  Insurance  also  takes charge  of  the  collection,  payment,  and custody  of  the  Labor  Pension  Fund.  Employers  subject  to  the  LPA  are  required  to contribute  to  the  employees’  individual  accounts  at  the  Bureau  on  a monthly  basis. 

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The  rate  of  contribution  shall not  be  less  than  6%  of  the  employee’s monthly  salary (see  the  Table  of  Monthly  Wages  and  Contribution  Rates,  below).  The  maximummonthly  salary  from  which  the  contribution  is  calculated  is  currently  set  at TWD150,000.  (The  minimum  is  TWD1,500.)  The  LPA also  allows  an  employee  to voluntarily contribute up to 6% of his or her monthly salary.  

  Table of Monthly Wages and Contribution Rates

  Actual Monthly Salary (TWD)

Amount for Contribution

Computation (TWD)

Actual Monthly Salary (TWD)

Amount for Contribution

Computation (TWD)

Below and equal to 1,500 1,500 38,201–40,100 40,100

1,501–3,000 3,000 40,101–42,000 42,000

3,001–4,500 4,500 42,001–43,900 43,900

4,501–6,000 6,000 43,901–45,800 45,800

6,001–7,500 7,500 45,801–48,200 48,200

7,501–8,700 8,700 48,201–50,600 50,600

8,701–9,900 9,900 50,601–53,000 53,000

9,901–11,100 11,100 53,001–55,400 55,400

11,101–12,105 12,105 55,401–57,800 57,800

12,106–12,300 12,300 57,801–60,800 60,800

12,301–13,500 13,500 60,801–63,800 63,800

13,501–15,840 15,840 63,801–66,800 66,800

15,841–16,500 16,500 66,801–69,800 69,800

16,501–17,280 17,280 69,801–72,800 72,800

17,281–17,400 17,400 72,801–76,500 76,500

17,401–18,300 18,300 76,501–80,200 80,200

18,301–19,200 19,200 80,201–83,900 83,900

19,201–20,100 20,100 83,901–87,600 87,600

20,101–21,000 21,000 87,601–92,100 92,100

21,001–21,900 21,900 92,101–96,600 96,600

21,901–22,800 22,800 96,601–101,100 101,100

22,801–24,000 24,000 101,101–105,600 105,600

24,001–25,200 25,200 105,601–110,100 110,100

25,201–26,400 26,400 110,101–115,500 115,500

26,401–27,600 27,600 115,501–120,900 120,900

27,601–28,800 28,800 120,901–126,300 126,300

28,801–30,300 30,300 126,301–131,700 131,700

30,301–31,800 31,800 131,701–137,100 137,100

31,801–33,300 33,300 137,101–142,500 142,500

33,301–34,800 34,800 142,501–147,900 147,900

34,801–36,300 36,300 147,907 and above 150,000

36,301–38,200 38,200  

   

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2.2.4   New Pension Rule for Public Employees’ Retirement Benefits 

In  an  effort  to  narrow  the  gap  between  retirement  benefits  for  the  civil  service  andprivate  sectors,  a  new  rule  caps  pension  and  retirement  benefits  at  85%  of monthly salary  for  all  civil  servants,  teachers,  and military  personnel with  up  to  25  years  ofservice. In addition to the 85% rule for those with up to 25 years of service, the new rulestipulates that civil servants with 25–35 years of service will be entitled to 85% of their final salary plus an additional 1% for every year of service above 25 years. Those withmore than 35 years of service will be entitled to 95% of their final salary.  

  The cap for civil servants who fall between grades 12 and 14 starts at 75% of final salary for up to 25 years of service, plus an additional 0.5% for every year of service above 25years. Those with more  than 35 years of  service will be entitled  to 80% of  their  finalsalary.  The Examination Yuan,  the  body  responsible  for  the  examination,  employment,  and management  of  civil  service  personnel,  announced  the  new  rule,  which  becameeffective on February 16, 2006.   

  2.3 Death Benefits      There  are  no  death  or  survivor  benefits  regulated  under  the  Labor  Standards  Law. 

The Labor Pension Act’s individual account (as long as there is an outstanding balance in  the  account)  will  be  payable  upon  the  employee’s  death  to  the  employee’s beneficiary, who  are  either  legal dependents  according  to  the priority  list  as per  the law, or an appointed beneficiary.  

2.3.1  Survivor Benefits 

 

As provided by  the Labor  Insurance Act, survivor benefits  for an employee’s spouse,children,  father,  mother,  or  a  dependent  grandchild,  brother(s),  or  sister(s)  are  10months  of  average  monthly  insured  salary  if  the  employee’s  accumulated  Labor Insurance coverage  is  less  than one  full year, 20 months  if  the coverage  is more  thanone full year but less than two full years, or 30 months if the coverage is more than twofull years.   

  2.4 Disability Benefits    2.4.1  Eligibility  An  insured person who has  received medical  treatment  covered under  the National

Health Insurance (NHI) for at least one year, who has not recovered from the physical handicap,  and who  is  diagnosed  by  an NHI  hospital  as  being  incurable may  claim benefits in one lump sum payment based on his or her average monthly insured salary.  

2.4.2  Benefit Amount  

Long‐Term Disability Long‐term  disability  benefits  are  available  to  employees  who,  following  a  non‐occupational injury or illness, are diagnosed in an NHI hospital as being permanentlydisabled.  The  benefit  level will  vary with  the  degree  of  disability. After  the  above‐mentioned  short‐term  disability  benefit  stops,  an  individual  who  continues  to  bedisabled will be entitled to a lump sum payment, the amount of which varies from 30days  to  1,200  days  of  an  insured’s  average  salary,  depending  on  the  degree  ofdisability.  For  this  purpose,  salary  is  averaged  over  the  six  months  precedingdisablement.  

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  Sickness Benefit/Short‐Term Disability  After  salary continuation payment by an employer ceases, an employee  is entitled  to receive cash sickness benefits from the Labor Insurance scheme. These benefits, at the earliest, commence from the fourth day of work incapacity. The cash sickness benefit is equal  to 50% of  the employee’s average monthly covered earnings. For  this purpose,salary is averaged over the six months preceding the illness or accident. The benefit ispaid  for a maximum period of six months.  In case  the employee has at  least one  full year  of  insurance  coverage  prior  to  commencement  of  the  injury  or  sickness,  suchbenefits shall be payable for an additional six months.   

  2.5 Worker’s Compensation      The  employer  is  required  to  pay  the  following  in  the  event  of  an  employee’s 

occupational death, disability, injury, or sickness: 

full cost of medical treatment,  full salary during his or her absence from work, and  death benefit.  The  Bureau  of  Labor  Insurance is  required  to  pay  the  following  in  the  event  of  an employee’s occupational death, disability, injury, or sickness: 

full salary during his or her absence from work, 

disability  benefits  based  on  the  disability  benefit  schedule  listed  in  the  Labor Insurance Act, and 

death benefit.  The benefit payments due to occupational death under the Labor Standards Law (LSL)listed above can be offset by applicable benefits under Labor Insurance (LI) (see furtherbelow).   

2.5.1  Death Benefits   

Under the LI, in case an insured employee dies from an occupational injury or sickness, the Bureau  of Labor  Insurance shall pay  a  funeral  grant  equal  to  five months  of  an employee’s  insured salary, as well as a  lump sum survivor benefit  that  is equal  to 40times an employee’s insured salary. In case there is more than one eligible survivor, the lump sum benefit will be equally split between them.   Under  the  LSL,  in  the  event  that  an  employee  dies  from  an  occupational  injury  orsickness, an employer shall pay a funeral grant equal to five months of the employee’saverage monthly salary, as well as a lump sum survivor benefit that is equal to 40 times the employee’s average monthly salary. The  formula  is  the same with LI, except  that the salary definition differs.  

  Impact on Benefits from Labor Insurance Death  benefits  paid  by  the  employer  due  to  occupational  death  under  the  LSL requirement  listed above can be offset by death benefits paid by  the Bureau of Labor Insurance.   

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2.5.2  Disability Benefits 

 

Under  LI,  in  the  event  of  a  temporary  disability  following  a  work  accident  or  anoccupational disease,  an  insured  employee will  be  entitled  to  a  temporary disabilitypayment equal to 70% of his or her  insured salary. For this purpose,  insured salary  is averaged over  the period of six months preceding  the disability.  In  the event  that  theemployee does not recover  from  the  illness or  injury after one  full year,  the paymentlevel is reduced to 50% of his or her insured salary for a maximum period of one year.  In  the  event of  a permanent disability  following  a work  accident or  an occupationaldisease,  an  insured  employee  will  be  entitled,  after  expiration  of  the  benefits  asmentioned  in the previous paragraph, to a  lump sum benefit of between 45 and 1,800days of his or her insured salary, depending on the degree of disability.  Contribution A new employer‐paid occupational injury insurance premium under LI will take effect from January 1, 2008, which ranges from 0.05% to 2.97%.  

  Under the LSL, in the event of a temporary disability following a work accident or anoccupational disease, an employee will be entitled to have his or her medical expensespaid by the employer. During the period of disability, the employer is required to pay the full amount of the employee’s salary. But if after two years of medical treatment the employee has lost his or her original ability to work, the employer may pay him or her a lump sum allowance of 40 months of the employee’s average salary and be exemptedfrom further responsibilities of wage compensation.  

  Impact on Benefits from Labor Insurance Wage compensation paid by an employer due to occupational injury or sickness under the LSL  requirement  listed  above  can  be  offset  by  a disability  payment  paid  by  the Bureau of Labor Insurance.    

  2.6 Healthcare Benefits    2.6.1  National  

Health Insurance 

Taiwan’s  medical  and  sickness  benefits  are  provided  under  the  National  HealthInsurance (NHI) and Labor Insurance.   Eligibility The  NHI  Act  covers  all  employees,  including  foreigners  with  an  Alien  ResidentCertificate.   It  also  covers  government  employees,  teachers,  the  self‐employed,  alien  seamen, farmers,  fishermen,  veterans,  military  dependents,  and  the  heads  of  low‐income households.  Taiwan  nationals  are  covered  if  they  have  maintained  a  registeredhousehold in Taiwan for four months or more.  

   

Coverage  also  includes  dependents  of  those  insured  under  NHI.  NHI  definesdependents of Group 1 (who are mostly employees) as 

unemployed spouse of the insured;   unemployed  lineal blood ascendants of  the  insured  (i.e., grandparents or parents);or 

lineal  blood descendants of  the  insured within  the  second degree  of  relationshipwho  are  under  20  years  of  age  and  unemployed,  over  20  years  of  age  but  are

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incapable of making a living, or are in school without employment (i.e., children orgrandchildren).  

 For  members  of  Group  1,  group  insurance  applicants  are  the  agencies,  schools,enterprises,  institutions,  or  employers  they  work  for;  or  unions  where  they  holdmembership (Article 14, Paragraph 1). The insuring entity files an insurance applicationwithin three days after the employee meets all requirements; the insuring entity reportsinsurance  suspension within  three days after  the  cause  for  suspension arises  (Article16).  The insurer is the Central Health Insurance Bureau. Insurance medical service institutesinclude the following (Article 55):  

contracted hospitals and clinics,  contracted drug stores,  other contracted medical service institutes designated by the regulatory authorities,and 

insurer‐appointed medical laboratory institutes. 

  Outpatient and Emergency Care  The insured and dependents shall pay 20% of outpatient or emergency care expenses.According  to Article  33,  if  outpatient  care  is  received  directly without  referral,  thefollowing rates apply: 

30% at a district hospital,  40% at a regional hospital, and  50% at a medical center.  The regulatory authorities have the power to adjust fees annually if needed.  

  Hospitalization The insured and dependents will pay as follows: 

At an emergency ward: 10% for the first 30 days, 20% from the 31st to the 60th day,and 30% from the 61st day onward. 

At a chronic care ward: 5% for the first 30 days, 10% from the 31st to the 90th day,20% from the 91st to the 180th day, and 30% from the 181st day onward (Article 35).

 For hospitalization in an emergency ward for 30 days or less, or in a chronic ward for less than 180 days, the regulatory authorities will determine the maximum amount tobe paid by  the  insured. According  to Article 36, no contribution  is  required  from  theinsured or dependents for hospital, emergency, or outpatient care under the following conditions: 

major diseases or injury as defined by the regulatory authorities,  confinement at childbirth, and  preventative healthcare as provided by NHI (Article 32). 

     Delivery  and dispensing  of medicine  by  a physician  shall  be handled  in  accordance 

with Article 102 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law (Article 31).  

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  Contribution  The  premium  payable  by  the  insured  and  his  or  her  dependents  is  calculated  inaccordance with  the  insured  salary and  the premium  rate of  the  insured  (Article 18). The premium rate for the insured and his or her dependents is 4.55%. This rate may bere‐evaluated  in  the  following  year  with  a  maximum  premium  of  6%  (Article  19).The insured may pay premiums for up to a maximum of three dependents. If there are more  than  three,  all  dependents  shall  be  covered  by  the  premium  paid  for  threedependents (Article 19).  Following  is  the  percentage  breakdown  of  premium  paid  by  employers,  employees,and their dependents from the private sector (Article 27): 

insured (employee) and dependent(s):  30%  insuring entity (employer):  60%  various levels of government:  10%  The  employer’s  share  of  the  contribution  for  dependents  is  based  on  the  averagenumber  of  dependents  of  insured  people  in  Taiwan.  The  Department  of  Health, Executive Yuan, and the representatives of the industrial and commercial sectors agreethat  the  average  number  of  dependents  should  be  decreased  from  0.78  to  0.70. This revision became effective on January 1, 2007.  The  insured  salary  for  an  employee  in  the  private  sector  is  determined  by  the employee’s payroll income up to a maximum of 131,700 (Article 22).  Rules  implementing  NHI  divide  employee  salary  into  brackets  for  contributioncomputation.  

  Actual Monthly Salary (TWD)

Amount for Contribution Computation (TWD)

Actual Monthly Salary (TWD)

Amount for Contribution Computation (TWD)

17,280 and below 17,280 45,801–48,200 48,200

17,280–17,400 17,400 48,201–50,600 50,600

17,401–18,300 18,300 50,601–53,000 53,000

18,301–19,200 19,200 53,001–55,400 55,400

19,201–20,100 20,100 55,401–57,800 57,800

20,101–21,000 21,000 57,801–60,800 60,800

21,001–21,900 21,900 60,801–63,800 63,800

21,901–22,800 22,800 63,801–66,800 66,800

22,801–24,000 24,000 66,801–69,800 69,800

24,001–25,200 25,200 69,801–72,800 72,800

25,201–26,400 26,400 72,801–76,500 76,500

26,401–27,600 27,600 76,501–80,200 80,200

27,601–28,800 28,800 80,201–83,900 83,900

28,801–30,300 30,300 83,901–87,600 87,600

30,301–31,800 31,800 87,601–92,100 92,100

31,801–33,300 33,300 92,101–96,600 96,600

31,801–33,300 33,300 96,601–101,100 101,100

33,301–34,800 34,800 101,101–105,600 105,600

  Continue on next page

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  Actual Monthly Salary (TWD)

Amount for Contribution Computation (TWD)

Actual Monthly Salary (TWD)

Amount for Contribution Computation (TWD)

34,801–36,300 36,300 105,601–110,100 110,100

36,301–38,200 38,200 110,101–115,500 115,500

38,201–40,100 40,100 115,501–120,900 120,900

40,101–42,000 42,000 120,901–126,300 126,300

42,001–43,900 43,900 126,301 and above 131,700  

     Maternity Benefits  

If childbirth occurred during the insurance interval, benefits will be provided under theprovisions  of  NHI  in  non‐cash  terms  with  contracted  medical  care  institutions providing hospital care and physicians providing prescriptions.   

  2.7 Other Mandatory Employee Benefits

   2.7.1  Annual Leave 

 Annual paid leave is provided on the basis of length of service. Seven working days ofannual leave are granted to workers employed continuously for more than one year butless  than  three  years.  Ten  working  days  are  prescribed  for  workers  employedcontinuously for three years but less than five years. Fourteen working days of annualpaid leave are provided to workers employed continuously for five years but less than10 years. One additional working day of leave is prescribed for each additional year of service up to a total of 30 working days.   

2.7.2  National Holidays 

Under the enforcement rules of the Labor Standards Law (LSL), employees are entitled to a total of 19 days of national holidays per year. One of the national holidays, which celebrates  the  birthday  of  President  Chiang  Kai‐Shek,  has  been  proposed to  be cancelled. 

   2.7.3  Sick Leave 

 Under the LSL, employees are entitled to 30 working days of sick leave per year at halfpay. Sick leave beyond 30 days is not payable. Sick leave without hospitalization shallnot exceed 30 days in a year and shall not exceed one year within a two‐year interval. An employee’s  total sick  leave with and without hospitalization must not exceed oneyear within any two consecutive years.  

2.7.4  Menstruation Leave  

A  female  employee  who  encounters  difficulty  in  performing  her  job  because  ofmenstruation may request one day’s leave each month. The number of leave days canbe incorporated into sick leave.  

2.7.5  Marriage Leave  

Eight working days of leave at full pay are granted for marriage. 

2.7.6  Maternity Leave 

 

Under the LSL, a period of eight calendar weeks of fully paid maternity  leave (beforeand after childbirth) is required if the employee has been employed for more than six months. If she has been employed for  less than six months, maternity  leave  is paid athalf the regular rate.   

2.7.7  Miscarriage Leave 

 

Four calendar weeks of miscarriage  leave with full pay are required by  the LSL  if theemployee has been employed for more than six months and has incurred a miscarriageafter three months of pregnancy. The miscarriage leave will be paid at half the regularrate if the employee has been employed for less than six months. 

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  Under  the  Gender  Equality  in  Employment  Law  (GEEL),  seven  calendar  days  are granted without pay for a miscarriage of a pregnancy of over two months but less than three  months.  Five  calendar  days  without  pay  are  granted  for  a  miscarriage  of  apregnancy of  less  than  two months. For an employment period of between  three and six months,  there will be  four weeks’ half pay. Under  the LSL, benefit entitlement  is only granted to employees with a pregnancy of longer than three months, as indicatedin the first paragraph. Under the GEEL, the criterion is length of pregnancy, regardless of the employment.  

2.7.8  Paternity Leave  

An  employee  is granted  two  calendar days with  full pay within  the  five‐day period before or after the birth of his child.  

2.7.9  Personal Leave  

Fourteen  working  days  of  leave  with  no  pay  are  granted  within  one  year  for  anemployee dealing with his or her personal affairs.  

2.7.10  Family Care Leave 

  

An enterprise with more than 30 employees shall grant a maximum of seven workingdays a year without pay for an employee’s family care leave. The number of leave days shall be incorporated into personal leave. 

2.7.11  Parental Leave  

After being employed for more than one year, an employee of an employer with morethan 30 employees may apply for parental  leave without pay before any of his or her children  reach  the  age  of  three  years.  The  duration  of  this  leave  cannot  exceed  twoyears. But when  the  employee  is  raising  two or more  children  at  the  same  time,  theperiod of parental leave shall be computed aggregately and the maximum period shall be limited to two years.  Under the Amended Provisions of Employment Insurance, parental leave allowance is proposed  to  be  provided  and  to  be  paid  for  up  to  six  months  at  40–50%  of  the employee’s total average insured salary.   

2.7.12  Bereavement   Leave 

  

The  bereavement  leave  granted  depends  on  the  deceased’s  relationship  with  theemployee. Eight working days with full pay are granted upon the death of the spouseor parents. Six working days with full pay are granted upon the death of grandparents, parents‐in‐law, or children. Three days with pay are granted on  the death of siblingsand grandparents‐in‐law.   

  2.8 Severance Payments    

Severance payment varies according to the applicable retirement benefit plans (see 2.2), as follows.   

2.8.1  Labor Standards Law 

 

Under  the  Labor  Standards  Law  (LSL),  the  termination  of  an  employment  contractrequires  a notice period of 10 days  for  employees who have been working  for morethan three months but less than one year, 20 days for employees with one to three years of service, and 30 days for those with more than three years of service. If an employerterminates the contract without giving the required advance notice, he or she shall paythe employee his or her salary for the advance notice period. After the notice is given to an employee, two paid days off from work should be granted during each week of the notice period so that the employee may search for a new job.  

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STATUTORY BENEFITS Taiwan  2.8 Severance Payments __________________________________________________________________________

2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 22

  Benefit Amount Under  the LSL,  the  employer must provide  severance pay of one month’s  salary  for each year of service covered under  the LSL  retirement plan. For employees with  less than one year of service, severance pay should be proportionately calculated. Service ofless  than one month  is calculated as one month. For  long service employees who are approaching their retirement age, the market practice is to pay more than one month.  Since 1985, the government has set up an Outstanding Wage Settlement Fund to protectemployees from sudden business closures that may prevent them from receiving their rightful pay. In such cases, the fund will pay them the first six months of outstandingwages. The  employer‐paid  premium  for  the  fund  is  0.1%  of  insured  salary,  payablethrough the monthly Labor Insurance premium.  

  Example of Severance by Years of Service Covered under the LSL Retirement Plan  

  Benefit Amounts (in No. of Monthly Salary)

Monthly Salary in USD/TWD

5 Years of Service

10 Years of Service

20 Years of Service Formula

1,000/32,000 5 10 20

5,000/160,000 5 10 20

Completed YOS covered under LSL retirement plan × monthly salary with no salary ceiling.

  Exchange rate: USD1 = TWD32

Benefit is assumed for redundancy due to restructuring. * YOS: Years of service

   2.8.2  Labor Pension 

Act  

For employees who are subject to the pension mechanism under the Labor Pension Act (LPA), severance pay  is calculated at half  the average monthly wage  for each year of service covered under  the LPA  in addition  to  the portable LPA contribution balance, provided their labor contracts are terminated (Article 11, the conditional provisions of Articles 13, 14, and 20 of LSL, or Articles 23 and 24 of the Occupational Accident Labor Protection Law). The severance pay for a period of service of less than one year shall becalculated proportionately. The total severance pay shall not exceed six months of the average monthly wage.  The  severance  pay  shall  be  paid within  30  days  after  the  termination  of  the  laborcontract. A unit of  average monthly  salary  is defined  as  the  final  six‐month  average monthly  income  including base pay, regular allowance,  incentives, and overtime, butexcluding year‐end bonus. Untaken leave is required by the LSL to be taken before thetermination of employment or by giving pay‐in‐lieu. Unpaid salary items such as pro‐rated  guaranteed  bonus,  accumulated  variable  bonus,  or  commissions  may  beconsidered as additional payments to be included in calculating related payments.  

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STATUTORY BENEFITS Taiwan  2.8 Severance Payments __________________________________________________________________________

2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 23

  Example of Severance Pay by Years of Service Covered under the LPA  

  Benefit Amounts (in No. of Monthly Salary)

Monthly Salary in USD/TWD

5 Years of Service

10 Years of Service

20 Years of Service Formula

1,000/32,000 2.5 5 6

3,000/96,000 2.5 5 6

5,000/320,000 2.5 5 6

Completed YOS* × half of average monthly salary with no salary ceiling. Payment shall not exceed six months of average monthly wage.

   Exchange rate: USD1 = TWD32

Benefit is assumed for redundancy due to restructuring. * YOS: Years of service

    

  2.9 Summary of Contributions     

Type of Benefits

Government Contribution

Employer Contribution

Employee Contribution

Total Contribution

Maximum Monthly

Salary (TWD) Subject to

Contribution

Labor Insurance (LI)

Non-occupational accident

0.55% 3.85% 1.1% 5.5% 43,900

Employment Insurance

0.1% 0.2% 0.7% 1% 43,900

Occupational accident

– 0.05–2.97% – 0.05–2.97% 43,900

Labor Standards Law (LSL)

– Min 2.0% – Min 2.0% none

Labor Pension Act (LPA) – Min 6.0% Cap at 6% 12.0% 150,000

National Health Insurance (NHI)

0.77% 4.64% 1.37–5.46% 6.78–10.87% 131,700

 

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Taiwan

2008 Benefits and Employment Terms – Taiwan 24

  3 COMPANY BENEFIT PRACTICE

  3.1 Overview    

Many elements of the retirement plan design are set forth in the Labor Standards Lawand Labor Pension Act (LPA) and are adopted as policy by employers.   Another feature that has gained popularity after the inception of the LPA is the top‐up plan. Employees who have achieved  the minimum  service  requirement can  receive apercentage of their retirement benefit upon leaving the company. Most companies offerthis benefit to employees who have completed at least five years of service.  According  to Watson Wyatt’s  recent survey, 53% of companies providing a non‐LPA benefit  provide  the  top‐up  plan;  and,  of  those,  48%  adopt  a  flat‐rate  top‐up  plan. Apart  from  retirement,  company benefits  that exceed  the  statutory obligations are  in the  areas  of  life  insurance  and  supplementary medical  coverage.  These  are  largelyprovided by multinational employers and progressive local companies.    

  3.2 Major Laws and Supervisory Bodies      The major statutes applicable to company benefit plans are as follows: 

Labor Standards Law  Enforcement Rules of the Labor Standards Law  Article 33 of the Income Tax Law  Labor Insurance Act  National Health Insurance Act  Employment Insurance Act  Labor Pension Act  Occupational Accident Labor Protection Law 

   Supervisory bodies governing company benefit plans are as follows: 

Council of Labor Affairs  Bureau of Labor Insurance  Bureau of National Health Insurance  Labor Bureau   

  3.3 Funding Methods    

Employers Subject to the Labor Standards Law Minimum  funding  of  at  least  2%  of  contributions  into  the  Bank  of  Taiwan  ismandatory.  For  costs  above  the  funding  level,  the  following  are  the most  commonfunding methods: 

Companies may meet pension obligations on an unfunded or pay‐as‐you‐go basis. Not surprisingly, this  is the most popular form of funding among  local companiesthat are reluctant to commit funds to a retirement fund reserve on a regular basis. 

Companies may book reserve for current and future retirement benefit liabilities.