More than 60% of Taiwanese workers have seen a nearly 8% drop in their income as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, reports Radio Taiwan International, citing survey data from job board 1111 Job Bank.  The study of nearly 1,300 respondents showed that approximately 37% of office workers have had their salary reduced, while nearly 21% have been furloughed. Another 18% have not earned any income from part-time jobs. Since the pandemic, Taiwan’s average monthly income has been around TWD 33,000 (USD 1,180), nearly TWD 3,000 (USD 107) less compared to before the pandemic.

1111 Job Bank says that confidence in the economy has not revived and that consumers’ willingness to spend is generally still low. It says that most businesses are still suffering despite government relief and hopes that stimulus spending vouchers expected to come out in September will help boost consumption.