The government says it will offer subsidies to people who are out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister without Portfolio Kung Ming-hsin said Thursday that those who work in the hospitality, service, and manufacturing industries will receive subsidies. So too will taxi drivers, tour bus operators, and the self-employed. Around 1.92 million people-- around 17% of Taiwan’s workforce-- fall into one of these categories.
Kung said it will be “disastrous” if unemployment caused by the pandemic is not addressed. Kung said that Taiwan’s society would be unable to cope with the resulting burden.
He also said the government will offer loans to laborers, small-and-medium sized enterprises, and large businesses so that they won’t face the problem of interrupted cash flows.
Meanwhile on Thursday, the economics ministry will give away coupons to boost domestic consumption.