The Childcare Policy Alliance (CPA) called on the government once again on Tuesday to change the current regulations for parental leave to help working parents and Taiwan’s low fertility rate.
During the press conference, alliance convenor Liu Yu-hsiu (劉毓秀) criticized the government for not addressing Taiwan’s low fertility rate and serious labor shortage by providing a better childcare environment. She complained that this is the fourth conference they have held to voice their demands. She says that Taiwan has made zero changes in the last 20 years on its policy and accuses the government of only caring about the productivity of the enterprises.
Alliance spokesperson Huang Chiao-ling (黃喬鈴) says while current laws provide for a 6-month leave with 80% pay, the reality is that most parents are unable to use the leaves because of the time inflexibility. They suggest allowing parents to take the maximum 6-month leave in the form of days or hours, and expanding the required age limit from 3 to 8, providing parents the flexibility to balance work and life in unpredictable situations such as emergencies and illnesses.