At the Huei-Ming Home for Blind Adults in Taichung, Premier Lin Chuan today said Taiwan is a civilized country that cares about the welfare of its people, with the responsibility and obligation to ensure that every citizen enjoys the basic right to live with dignity. Currently, more than 1 million people, or 5 percent of Taiwan's population, suffer from mental and physical disabilities.
Aside from protecting the rights of the physically challenged, the government should provide more opportunities for them to demonstrate their abilities, the premier said. He expressed gratitude to churches and nonprofit welfare organizations for sharing the government's responsibility and work.
Earlier in the day, the premier also visited the Central Region Children's Home, a facility operated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). Every person is precious, he said, and the government is obligated to ensure that every citizen is well taken care of and becomes a useful member of society. When families are unable to provide full or adequate care to youngsters, children's homes are the final line of defense to ensure they will receive warm care and grow into well-rounded adults. The premier thanked the facility's staff for their hard work.
The administration cares deeply for the welfare of children and teenagers, the premier said. As part of President Tsai Ing-wen's policy, the Executive Yuan has launched a "child and youth education development fund" that sets up individual accounts for children of disadvantaged families. Parents may deposit up to NT$15,000 (US$469) per year into each child's account and the government will match that amount. When the child reaches the age of 18, he or she will have a considerable basic financial safety net in the account. Premier Lin also called on the public and welfare organizations to help support these families.
According to the MOHW, this development fund is available to children born on or after January 1, 2016, who come from low- and lower-middle-income households or are in long-term foster placement. Families unable to contribute to the child's account will be matched with charity organizations that are willing to help. To encourage parents to save for their children, interest earned on the account is tax deductible.
After the children turn 18, those who wish to enter the workplace first may also apply for a "youth education and employment savings account," whereby the government will deposit NT$10,000 (US$312) a month into the account for three years for a total of NT$360,000 (US$11,246). This way, they can accumulate more resources whether they choose to continue working or go back to school. This program will be launched in August 2017 on a trial basis with 5,000 graduating high school students to be selected each year. Of the NT$10,000 monthly deposit, half will come from the Ministry of Education and half from the Ministry of Labor under an employment stabilization subsidy program.