How to avoid the minimum wage trap in 2025? 3 key points that new employees must know

As 2025 approaches, Taiwan’s minimum hourly wage has once again attracted widespread public attention. When many new entrants into the job market, their first challenge is how to protect their own rights and interests and avoid wage traps. According to data from the Ministry of Labor, although Taiwan's labor environment has continued to improve in recent years, there are still employers who attempt to circumvent the minimum wage standards through various means. A news investigation found that one of the main reasons why new entrants to the workplace fall into salary traps is their lack of awareness of relevant laws, regulations and rights. This report will systematically analyze the minimum wage hourly trap and propose the latest strategies and key reminders for 2025.

The latest minimum wage in 2025

Legal Standards and Trends of Increase

According to the 2025 announcement of the Ministry of Labor,The minimum wage has been raised to 186 yuan per hour, upward growth reflects the government’s determination to promote basic protection for workers. Employers are obliged to pay according to the law and are not allowed to lower hourly wages privately. The following table summarizes the changes in the minimum wage hourly rate over the past three years:

The minimum hourly wage has increased for three consecutive years until 2025, which shows that the awareness of labor protection is gradually increasing.

The most common minimum wage traps

However, the investigation found that there are still many illegal methods of reducing wages in the workplace. Common pitfalls include:

• Multiple allowances are included as part of salary: Circumventing the minimum wage hourly rate in the form of allowances and subsidies.
• Padding working hours/falsifying accounts: Working hours are artificially adjusted to make the hourly wage appear to be up to standard.
• Illegal deductions: Deductions from wages for unidentified expenses.

Three key points that new employees must know

Understand contract and salary structures

Being transparent is the first step to self-protection.Most new employees ignore the contents of the contract. The actual salary composition should include: basic salary, overtime pay, and various statutory subsidies. All salaries should be presented in a detailed manner to prevent employers from packaging them below the legal standards through subsidies, bonuses, etc.

Check before signing a labor contractThe following points:

1. Are hourly wages and monthly wages clearly marked and higher than the minimum hourly wage?
2. Are there any unreasonable clauses for deducting salary for additional allowances?
3. Is there any explanation on the payday and detailed payment method?
4. How to calculate overtime pay and delayed time wages

Familiar with labor laws and regulations and complaint mechanisms

Recognizing your own rights is the key to avoiding traps.Understand the Labor Standards Act Minimum wage hourly rate Only by understanding the basic norms of the wage structure can anomalies be detected immediately. If you encounter a salary dispute, you should be aware of the relevant complaint channels. For example:

• Dial the 1955 Labor Advisory Hotline
• Complain to the local labor bureau
• Prepare payroll and work time records to keep evidence

News tracking of individual cases pointed out that some new employees’ appeals were ultimately unsuccessful due to insufficient evidence and no work hour records. Expert advice:All salary and attendance information must be kept for your own reference, covering clock-in records, message exchanges, contract copies, etc.

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by AffiMarket Easy Alliance For example, the platform connects domestic and international tourism, shopping, AI tools and other diverse industries, and is committed to alliance promotion and profit-sharing cooperation, allowing bloggers, Youtubers, KOLs, etc. to easily accumulate additional sources of income.

New employees can develop a part-time job and no longer have to worry about being Minimum wage hourly rate As long as you effectively utilize alliance resources and learn online promotion skills, you will have the opportunity to develop additional stable income.

How to identify whether an employer is violating the law?

Check salary payment and details

The monthly pay slip must clearly state all income items and deduction items, wages cannot be paid in cash without receipts. If you encounter any abnormalities, you should proactively ask. If the employer evades or refuses to provide information, there is a high possibility of violation of regulations.

Beware of "trial period" traps and contract traps

Some employersTrial PeriodGiving workers an hourly wage lower than the minimum wage is completely inconsistent with labor standards laws. Newcomers should pay special attention to:Even those who are in a temporary, probationary or trainee capacity must enjoy minimum hourly wage protection. If a contract states that salary is negotiable, it is a trap.

Be careful about flexible working hours and responsible working hours packaging

Many start-up industries and retail sectors use the excuse of flexible working hours and responsibility system, but in reality they work overtime seriously. According to the regulations,All hourly working hours must be recorded and calculated according to lawEmployers do not have the right to unilaterally establish a "responsibility system" to exempt working hours, and must take the initiative to inquire and preserve relevant evidence.

Self-protection checklist for new employees

The following will help you to examine yourself and avoidMinimum wage hourly rate trap:

2025 is a critical year for the new adjustment of the labor market.Minimum wage hourly rate Improvement brings more career opportunities, but also tests the ability of newcomers to protect themselves and develop in multiple ways. Whether you are a full-time employee or a sideline employee, only by continuing to learn, understanding labor laws and regulations, and seizing emerging income channels can you truly avoid wage traps in the future and create your own career blueprint.