Newsletter
DRAFT AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT
The Legislative Yuan passed the draft amendment to the Employment Insurance Act on March 31, 2009. The upper age limit for a worker to enroll in the employment insurance program as an insured person has been changed from 60 years old to 65 years old. Moreover, the foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens who work in Taiwan can also enroll in the employment insurance program.
The amendment also gives new parents on paternity leave a monthly paternity stipend for a certain period of time. The maximum period for paying out unemployment benefits to seniors and the disabled is extended from 6 months to 9 months. In addition, an unemployed worker who needs to support his/hers spouse, minor children or disabled children may apply for an additional benefit equal to 10% of the average monthly insurance salary for supporting each of the foregoing persons, up to 20% of the average monthly insurance salary.