EDITOR’S NOTE:
Happy 2018 to all of our readers.
The Eye on Taiwan (eyeontw.com) is happy to announce that beginning January, we will regularly start providing useful information on a variety of subjects that we believe will help our readers understand the latest situations, trends, and developments in Taiwan.
As the New Year is upon us, we will begin with the new regulations that the government has announced for imposition in 2018.
Environment
(Picture, graphics and video courtesy of EPA)
Those who frequent convenience stores and coffee shops to buy beverages may have already noticed the new ban.
Free plastic bags are no longer provided by stores under the categories of beverages, bakeries, laundry services, bookstores, stationeries, consumer electronics, medical equipment, and pharmacies.
Having expanded the ban from seven industries to 14 industries, the government is aiming to encourage consumers to bring their own bags and refrain from throwing away plastic bags after one-time usage.
Also, the production or inclusion of microbeads is banned from products such as makeup, hair products or body washes and toothpaste starting Jan. 1. A ban on reselling of the aforementioned products will be in place on July 1.
Labor and Health
(Graphic courtesy of Ministry of Labor)
Basic monthly wages will be adjusted to NT$22,000 beginning 2018. At least 3.02 million labor workers are expected to benefit from the raise, though each person will see an NT$2 to NT$21 increase of his or her monthly labor pension contribution. Basic hourly wages will see adjustments to NT$140.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare will provide state-charged Hepatitis A vaccines for infants who are one-year-old. Under the National Health Insurance system, oral-taken Hepatitis C medication is also eligible for 17,000 patients, while medicine variety is expanded to five types for Hepatitis C patients of type 1 and type 2.
Transportation
Drivers are advised to take note of new regulations when coming across ambulances or fire trucks: vehicles in both directions should move to the outside lane and clear the center of the road for an ambulance or a fire truck to cross. Those violating the regulation will be fined NT$3,600 and have their driver’s licenses revoked.
(Graphic courtesy of Ministry of Transport and Communications)
Airlines with flight routes adhering to the “New Southbound Policy” agenda to and from the eight domestic airports will enjoy 20 percent deduction from their landing fees.
Train delay that exceeds 30 minutes on the Taiwan Railway Administration service will include no-processing fees for ticket refunds.
Electric-powered vehicles (small-sized automobiles, scooters and etc.) will be eligible for license plates that start with “E” for electric.
By Stephanie Chao,The Eye on Taiwan news staff
