The Effect of 2015 Minimum Wage Increases on Manufacturing and Construction Industry in Taiwan

• Main Authors: LEE, CHENG-YEN, 李承諺
• Other Authors: CHUNG, CHIEN-PING
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/24532349398530980465

碩士 === 實踐大學 === 企業管理學系碩士班 === 104 === In this study, we used a questionnaire survey to investigate the effects of the 2015 minimum wage increases on the manufacturing and construction industries. We collected many responses from labors and employers. The data came from different counties and cities in Taiwan. Our questionnaire, to help us understand opinions concerning a minimum wage increase, was divided into three parts. In the results from our questionnaire, most labors and employers thought a minimum wage increase would increase enthusiasm in the workplace; but also that it would not improve the relationship between labors and employers. In many different areas of Taiwan, labors and employers had the same opinion about the effect, including poorly educated, low-skilled, teenage and disabled labors. Most labors and employers thought that a minimum wage increase would have a positive effect on these groups, but they did not agree that it would lower the average wage level of labors. With respect to foreign workers, most respondents thought that hired foreign workers would have a negative effect on the domestic employment rate, while most employers thought that such hiring would be good. Most labors and employers thought a minimum wage increase would not cause less willingness to hire foreign workers. Furthermore, regarding foreign workers’ wages, most labors thought that the employer should abide by the minimum wage system, but the employers did not agree. As for minimum wage adjustment, the respondents thought that the economic growth rate and commodity price level (inflation) were the most important reasons to make a minimum wage adjustment. Almost all responses suggested that the minimum wage should be adjusted annually because of the rapid rise in commodity prices. Most labors and employers thought that a minimum wage should meet the basic needs of at least two people in one family.