Taipei, May 31 (CNA) A record 32.4 percent of companies in the industrial and hospitality sectors have either raised salaries or pledged to do so for employees this year, the largest percentage of firms with a pay hike plan since the turn of the century, according to data released by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) on Thursday.

As of the end of March this year, 22.5 percent of companies in these sectors had already given employees a raise, 18.1 percent of which ranged from 3 percent to under 6 percent, the DGBAS noted.

If the remaining firms follow through on their pledge, then this year will see the biggest percentage of companies raising salaries in 18 years.

However, 38.3 percent of firms have decided not to adjust salaries this year, and 29.3 percent have made no decision as yet.

According to analysis by the DGBAS, businesses with more than 100 people are more committed to raising wages, with 60 percent committing to do so, while firms with fewer than 9 people are less likely to follow suit.

(By Pan Tzu-yu and Kuan-lin Liu )
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