Premier Su Tseng-chang says it's urgent that the government step in to help the industries hit hardest by COVID-19.
At the Cabinet Thursday, Su said the government has set aside NT$103.5 billion (US$3.4 billion) to subsidize industries stricken by the pandemic.
Part of this money will go to subsidizing 40% of employees’ salary. Self-employed drivers as well as taxi and tour bus drivers will receive a subsidy of NT$10,000 (US$333) per month while the disadvantaged and the physically challenged will get NT$1,500 (US$50) per month. Su said these direct cash payments will help three million people.
Meanwhile, the economics ministry has set up an economic relief hotline that receives nearly 3,500 phone calls every day. 65% of the calls are about loans and subsidies for paychecks and operational costs.