3 firms enforce furloughs due to U.S. tariff impact

Taipei, May 1 (CNA) Three companies in Taiwan have implemented furlough or unpaid leave programs in response to economic shocks from the tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in early April, according to the latest Labor Ministry data.

About 200 to 300 workers are expected to be affected, Labor Ministry official Hou Sung-yen (侯松延) told CNA on Thursday.

Citing data compiled by local governments, Hou said two of the three companies applied for permits to implement furlough programs for the first time. Both are in the manufacturing sector.

One company manufactures electric outlets, while the other produces automotive components and hardware tools. Both cited the U.S. tariffs on exported goods as the reason for the furloughs, Hou said.

The three firms were included in the ministry's latest furlough statistics, which showed that 2,266 individuals from 131 companies were placed on unpaid leave as of the end of April -- 584 more workers and 21 more companies than in March.

Hou noted that, despite the monthly increase, the April figure marked the lowest for the same period in six years, with most affected workers in the manufacturing and wholesale/retail industries.