The legislature passed a draft bill on Tuesday that allows college degree holders to apply for alternative military service.
Alternative military service allows young men to work in companies as an alternative to military service. This opportunity was formerly only available to graduate degree holders.
The new bill will allow college degree holders to serve in companies for three years as an alternative to military service. The first year will see 1,000 openings for these positions, and following that, the maximum positions per year will be 5,000. The annual salary in the new program will be NT$19,500 (US$637).
When Taiwan moves to an all-volunteer system, the term will be one and a half years for alternative military service. The first six months would be considered alternative military service while the following year would be considered employment by the company.