Deputy Health Minister Su Li-chiung says the government will need one week to get subsidies to workers whose livelihoods have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government has promised a subsidy of NT$10,000 (US$330) for workers not covered by labor insurance. These workers include street vendors, freelancers, and others in unconventional work situations.
It is estimated that around 180,000 of the 345,000 uninsured workers will benefit from the subsidy. The cost to the government is expected to run to NT$2.9 billion (US$96 million).
Over 10,000 applications for the subsidy came in from across Taiwan on Wednesday, the first day to file an application. The government has promised to simplify and quicken the application process to make help easier to get for those who need it.