Analysis of the new policy on minimum hours for work-study students in 2025

As 2025 is approaching, the rights and salary standards of working students have once again become a topic of social concern. In order to protect the basic labor rights of student workers, the Executive Yuan passed new "minimum working hours for work-study students" and salary calculation standards at the end of 2024. This article will analyze in depth the three major changes to the new policy on minimum working hours for work-study students in 2025 in the form of news reports, helping students, companies and parents to fully understand the important new regulations that will soon come into effect.

Key points of the new policy on minimum hours for work-study students in 2025

Minimum working hours for work-study students increased

Starting from 2025, the minimum working hours for work-study students will be adjusted again and the minimum wage standard will be increased simultaneously. According to the regulations of the Ministry of Labor, starting from January 1, 2025, the minimum hourly wage will be increased from NT$183 to NT$190, and the statutory minimum working hours for monthly paid part-time students will also be slightly adjusted based on the upper and lower limits of the monthly working hours to ensure that part-time students receive reasonable remuneration.

Table 1: 2024-2025 Work-Study Minimum Hours and Salary Adjustments

*Calculated based on 40 working hours per week and 4 weeks per month

Key Tracking:

• After the adjustment, the wages of all working students must not be less than 190 yuan per hour.
• Violators will be subject toLabor Standards Act, and be fined or even have the difference repaid.

The scope of coverage is expanded to include more work-study types

The scope of application of this new policy has been clearly expanded to protect a wider range of students, both learners and interns.

The key points of coverage are as follows:

• Informal employment and long-term/short-term summer work-study are all included (including department store counters, hotels, tutoring assistants, etc.).
• Students who study remotely, work online, or work flexible hours are also protected.
• Companies are not allowed to circumvent paying workers the statutory minimum wages under the name of "internship" or "apprenticeship".
• If an internship or traineeship program has working hour requirements and involves productive labor, it will be regarded as work-study and must comply with the new minimum hour regulations.

List: Employment types protected by the "Work-Study Minimum Hours" from 2025

1. Traditional retail part-time student
2. School cooperative interns (those with working hours requirements)
3. Remote/online assistance students
4. Short-term work-study youth during summer and winter vacations
5. Academic assistant/administrative assistant (not pure volunteer)
6. Part-time event promoter
7. Other part-time employment students involved in labor services

Clarify the wage calculation method and labor and health insurance level adjustment

The 2025 "Minimum Working Hours for Work-Study Students" policy clearly regulates wage items and mandatory levels of labor insurance and health insurance, further improving the welfare protection of work-study students.

Table 2: New standards for salary calculation and labor insurance payment

Key points:

• Wage calculation incorporates flexibility such as allowances and bonuses but excludes one-off incentives. If a part-time student asks for personal leave, the company must clearly deduct the wages for that day - the amount cannot be arbitrarily lower than the adjusted minimum wage standard.
• Labor and health insurance levelThe amount of medical insurance and labor insurance that working students can claim will be increased simultaneously.

Response measures and practical reminders from all sectors

Business owners and HR departments must pay attention to the key points

After the new policy is implemented, companies that violate the regulations will bear legal responsibility and social risks. Important reminders include:

• According to the Labor Standards Act, the wages of work-study students must not be lower than the minimum hourly wage, and overtime pay must be calculated proportionally.
• When taking leave, the wages for that day may be deducted, but compensation liability cannot be avoided by changing shift arrangements.
• All payroll details must clearly indicate the "minimum hours for part-time students", "salary composition" and "number of days of leave".
• The starting salary for labor and health insurance reporting must be adjusted according to the new regulations.

Table 3: Common types of violations in 2025 and recommended responses

Students and parents should take the initiative to understand new rights and interests

As a work-study student or parent, you must understand the relevant regulations on the minimum hours for work-study students in 2025 and take the initiative to fight for your own rights:

• The employment contract should clearly state the hourly wage and working hours arrangement.
• If you find that your wages are abnormal, below the minimum hourly wage, or without insurance, you can file a complaint with the Labor Bureau or request assistance.
• Check in advance whether your salary details include all salary components.

Expert opinions and trends

The new work-study system demonstrates social responsibility and enhances young people’s confidence in labor

The new regulations on minimum working hours for work-study students in 2025 will significantly improve student work-study security, help reduce exploitation, and strengthen the integration of industry and academia and social corporate responsibility.

Expert analysis points:

• The salary increase is expected to increase local young people’s willingness to work and reduce talent loss.
• Companies must review their costs and scheduling strategies when recruiting, and make good use of digital tools to optimize scheduling and salary payment processes.
• Students and parents have more confidence in the new regulations, and the student work-study participation rate is expected to grow further in the future.

Appendix: FAQ

Q1. How are the minimum hours for work-study students defined under the Labor Standards Act?

A1: The salary is basically calculated based on the statutory hourly wage. If the minimum working hours are not reached, the salary can be calculated based on the actual working hours, but the hourly wage shall not be lower than the statutory standard.

Q2. How is salary deducted for personal leave and sick leave?

A2: In case of personal leave or sick leave, the salary of the working student can be deducted according to the number of days missed, that is, 190 yuan/day (for those scheduled on a daily basis).

Q3. Can part-time students working during the summer be exempted from Labor and Health Insurance?

A3: According to regulations, those who have an employment relationship and whose working hours/monthly salary meet the threshold must compulsorily join the labor insurance and pay according to the new levels.

With the implementation of the new policy on minimum working hours for work-study students, both students and employers must update their understanding of labor protection, proactively review their own rights and responsibilities, and create a more fair and healthy working environment. In the future, it is also expected that the competent authorities will continue to optimize regulations to ensure that work-study experience becomes a solid foundation for young people to start their careers.