The Presidential Office and National Security Council held its annual family day for staff this Thursday. Families of staff members and children filled the room for the open-house event, and President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) encouraged employees to have more children.
Lai thanked staff members for their hard work, acknowledging the pressure and many responsibilities that come with the job, additionally thanking their families for providing support. He pointed out that 47 children under the age of three were present, and joked that while it may be a tough job, it evidently isn’t tough to the point of affecting “productivity.”
Lai elaborated on the government’s policy to assist in raising children up to age six by providing parents with monthly childcare allowances of NT$5,000 to NT$7,000 (US$155 to US$217) and subsidies of up to NT$15,000 (US$465). Lai also encouraged his employees to have more children, speaking to the confidence he has in the policy and the support it provides.
Lai explained that this year’s budget sets aside NT$120 billion (US$3 billion) for childcare. Lai and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said they intend to increase the amount based on the foundation laid by former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).