Taiwan’s creative and energetic young generations are the driving force of social progress and innovation, Premier Lai Ching-te said Aug. 8, adding that the government is preparing a raft of policies to support their professional development and alleviate financial and family planning burdens.
These include a dedicated program to foster youth wage growth through such measures as strengthening the nation’s investment climate, Lai said. The government is also rolling out new initiatives to relax student loan repayment terms and reduce child care costs, he added.
Lai made the remarks during a meeting with the Cabinet’s youth advisory committee.
According to the premier, the student loan relaxation program, slated to start in September, will help ease young people’s transition into the workforce and offer greater flexibility in terms of career and financial planning. Under the policy, the Ministry of Education will allow borrowers to repay only interest on their loans for up to four years following the completion of a one-year post-graduation grace period.
Lai also cited the government’s proposed multipronged strategy to support young families and boost Taiwan’s low birthrate, stating the program will make a real difference in people’s lives.
According to the Cabinet, the plan will expand access to public child care and preschools, use public funds to subsidize quality private child care options, increase child-rearing subsidies, and encourage businesses to develop child care arrangements for employees.
During the meeting, the premier also instructed the MOE and Ministry of Labor to formulate mechanisms allowing senior and vocational high schools to hire accomplished foreign athletes and professionals as coaches. This measure will help bolster the nation’s competitiveness in a range of sports and technical fields, he said. (KWS-E)
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