Slight fall in workers furloughed due to U.S. tariffs

Taipei, Nov. 17 (CNA) The number of workers on formal unpaid leave programs due to U.S. tariffs fell slightly in the first half of this month, the Ministry of Labor (MOL) said Monday, citing a recovery of orders.

Data compiled by the MOL showed the number of workers placed on formal unpaid leave programs due to the tariff impact fell to 7,530 as of Nov. 15, down 45 from the end of October, while the number of employers carrying out their furlough programs also fell 17 to 353.

Speaking with reporters, MOL Labor Conditions and Employment Equality specialist Li Yi-hsuan (李怡萱) said the latest data indicated employment in the local export-oriented manufacturing sector appeared stabilized slightly on the back of an increase in orders.

Lee said the metal and electric machinery industry reported the highest furloughed workers of 6,029 as of Nov. 15, with a total of 283 employers implementing furlough programs.

Despite the fall in the past 15 days, Li said, as tariff negotiations between Taiwan and the United States are still underway with Taipei aiming to have the current 20 percent reciprocal tariff lowered, the MOL will continue to watch closely the local job market.

As of Nov. 15, the total number of furloughed workers in Taiwan stood at 8,456, up 125 from the end of October, while the number of employers having unpaid leave programs in place fell 20 to 435.

The manufacturing sector recorded the largest number of furloughed workers at 7,923 as of Nov. 15, accounting for almost 94 percent of the total, according to the MOL.

The domestic-oriented service sector stayed stable during the 15 days, with the number of furloughed workers in the wholesale and retail industry unchanged at 338, while the number of furloughed workers in the lodging and food/beverage industry fell one to 32 as of Nov. 15.

The MOL updates its furloughed worker data on the 1st and 16th of every month and reports on the number of employees placed on furloughs registered by companies with the ministry.

Most of the enterprises implementing furlough programs are small companies that employ fewer than 50 people.

Unpaid leave programs typically last for less than three months, with employees taking five to eight days of unpaid leave per month, according to the MOL.