Independent Opinion of CEDAW
segregation, analyze factors such as education and social culture,
and compile statistics on the gender pay gap among employees at
different levels within each job category. Based on this, it should
develop specific plans, policy incentives, and targets for promoting
equal pay for equal work and urge business entities to implement
them.
Childbirth-friendly Systems and Public Childcare
Services
16. The current system of parental leave without pay is not flexible
enough.22 The allowance given during parental leave without pay
is calculated based on the insured salary, but this is capped by the
labor insurance system.23 Although the government has increased the
monthly insured salary replacement rate from 60 to 80 percent, there
is still a large gap between the allowance and the real wages. The loss
22
At present, unpaid parental leave is taken on a monthly basis, which does not meet the needs
of families to balance work and childcare. According to a 2021 survey by the MOL, more than
75% of female and male employees believe that parental leave should be switched to a daily
or hourly basis. The main reason (given by more than 50% of respondents) is to have more
flexibility in childcare. MOL’s survey also showed that 47.1% of the business units agreed that
the law should be relaxed to allow employees to take unpaid parental leave on a daily or hourly
basis to enjoy more flexibility, but 52.9% disagreed, mainly because employees can take other
types of leave instead. However, the Act of Gender Equality in Employment provides that an
employee may take seven days of family care leave throughout the year and the number of days
taken shall be included in personal leave. In accordance with the Regulations of Leave-Taking
of Workers, no wages are paid for personal leave. This is obviously not conducive to flexible
scheduling of work and caregiving responsibilities and is hardly a friendly environment for
child-rearing.
23
The maximum insured salary of labor insurance is NT$45,800, and the insured salary of
military, government, and education personnel is calculated based on their basic salary.
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