Taiwan to increase military allowances starting April 1: Lai

Taipei, March 21 (CNA) Taiwan will implement a pay adjustment for military personnel on April 1, significantly raising allowances, which are separate from salary, for volunteer service members and combat troops, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced Friday.

The revised policy grants the highest increase to frontline officers in combat units, with maximum monthly allowances rising by NT$7,000 (US$212), Lai said while inspecting a Marine Corps brigade at Taipei's Songshan Airport.

Under the new three-tier system for volunteer service allowances, junior officers at the rank of major and below will see their monthly stipend increase from NT$10,000 to NT$15,000.

Mid-ranking officers (e.g., lieutenant colonels) will see their stipend rise from from NT$10,000 to NT$14,000, while senior officers (e.g., generals) will receive a NT$3,000 raise on top of the current NT$10,000, Lai said.

Meanwhile, combat units that undergo intensive training and demanding duties will have their monthly stipend rise from NT$5,000 to NT$12,000, while combat support units will receive NT$7,000, up from NT$3,000.

"Facing the expansion of authoritarian forces, Taiwan will stand firmly on the side of freedom and democracy, resolutely oppose authoritarian annexation, and remain steadfast in preserving the status quo," Lai said.

He emphasized that military pay reform is a long-term initiative that requires careful planning, while calling on opposition parties to reconsider any proposals to freeze or cut the defense budget.