Politics

Opposition Blasts Budget Over Lack of Raises for Soldiers, Emergency Services

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By Kris Ma/Tiffany Wong

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Taiwan's opposition parties are concerned that the Cabinet's 2026 budget proposal does not include salary raises for soldiers, police officers and firefighters as stipulated in previously approved bills. Premier Cho Jung-tai says the way that the pay raises were approved may not have followed legislative procedure and is requesting a constitutional interpretation before implementing them into the budget.

The Taiwan People’s Party called the $100 billion US dollar budget “illegal” and filed a motion for reconsideration because the budget lacked provisions for pay raises for soldiers, police officers and firefighters that had already been approved.

This was especially an insult since members of these services have been working hard at relief efforts for a recent flood disaster.  

Especially with the massive devastation caused by a barrier lake overflowing in Hualien, over the past long weekends we've seen our soldiers, police officers and firefighters working tirelessly to carry out disaster relief work.  

And yet, while the Lai Ching-te government thanks them for their hard work, it's actually trampling on their rights and interests.

The proposed budget for next year is an increase of 3.5 billion US dollars compared to this year’s.  

And it also includes a defense budget that surpasses 3% of GDP. But a plan to raise volunteer soldiers’ monthly bonus to $1,000 US dollar is not included due to concerns about the way the legislature passed the pay raise bill, which the Cabinet said requires a constitutional interpretation to implement.

The Cabinet has said that the defense budget increase provides other benefits for service members, and that it wants to increase the wages for all public servants.

In the legislature on Tuesday, Premier Cho Jung-tai faced heated questions as he sought approval for the budget from the opposition-led body.

The core issue is we've already requested an additional US$195 million for government spending.  

So why haven’t you implemented it?

As for the procedural budget, the legislature has asked the Cabinet to substantially raise its expenditures.

But I’ve explained repeatedly you need to first consult with the Cabinet and clearly identify the source of the funding.  

But you haven’t done any of that.  

Our soldiers work so hard to defend the country, and our police and firefighters work so hard to protect the people.  

The legislature has passed bills that include measures to stabilize and improve retirement benefits for them.  

Soldiers must protect their country, but their families need to have a stable home.  

And yet, the Cabinet hasn’t followed the law.

The legislature can freeze or propose cuts to parts of the budget. Premier Cho Jung-tai has urged Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu to invite the Cabinet for a meeting to discuss the budget with lawmakers.

But with a divided government and different priorities, it may be some time before the budget is approved.