Good news for families with several babies: Parents can look after their babies at the same time

        Taiwan's fertility rate continues to decline. In order to encourage couples to "increase their output and serve the country", in recent years, the government has actively adopted policy improvements to help parents of Dual-Wage families achieve the ideal of balancing work and family. Among them, the purpose of the suspension of pay for child-rearing is to encourage parents to participate in the process of child-rearing and to protect their working rights and interests. In this issue, Legal Column specially consolidates the Ministry of Labor. Shuangbao and Duobao parents must not let their rights and interests fall asleep when applying for the recently revised method of suspension of pay and allowance for child-rearing.

        I. Qualifications for suspension of pay for child-rearing
         In the past, only in the case of twins or multiple twins, parents could take parental leave at the same time. For dual-salaried parents who raised multiple children at the same time in real life, they could not enjoy their rights despite their needs. According to Article 16 of the Law on Gender Equality in Work, employees who have served for six months and before their children reach the age of three may apply for suspension of pay for child-rearing employment for a period of not more than two years, while those who have raised more than two children shall be combined for suspension of pay for child-rearing employment, with a maximum of two years for their youngest children. On February 21, 2019, the Ministry of Labor relaxed its letter explaining that:Parents can take parental leave at the same time if they raise more than two children under the age of 3.

        2. Qualifications of Payroll Suspension Allowance for Parents
         On August 8, 2018, the Ministry of Labor relaxed its letter explaining that parents are both insured for employment insurance, raising two or more children under the age of 3 (e.g. twin (multiple) twins) who are required to simultaneously handle the suspension of pay for child-rearing and who meet the requirements for the suspension of pay allowance for child-rearing.Parents may also ask for suspension of pay allowance for different children and continue to participate in the original social insurance.In order to alleviate the financial burden of parents applying for baby-rearing stay at the same time.

        3. Internet application for child-rearing stay allowance
         As the suspension pay allowance for child-rearing is subject to certification, in the past it was only possible to apply in writing to the Labor Insurance Bureau. However, in practice, it is inconvenient to return to the insured unit, print the application form and send it to the Labor Insurance Bureau for the mother during maternity leave or the parents during the period of child-rearing stay without pay. In order to meet the actual demand, the Labor Insurance Bureau began in November 2018.With the new online application function, the applicant can complete the formalities by using the natural person certificate at home.In addition to saving time for the delivery of written applications, allowances can also be charged 2 to 5 working days in advance. Parents in need may wish to make more use of them.(References: Labor Insurance Bureau of the Ministry of Labor, Joint News Network)