Kaohsiung Leads Taiwan in Hospitality Revenue Growth, but Wage Growth Ranks Last

Kaohsiung’s concert economy has brought more visitors and sharply increased hospitality revenue, but the gains have not translated into comparable wage growth for the sector’s workers.

Finance Ministry statistics showed that hospitality and food-service sales across Taiwan reached NT$578.48 billion in the first half of the year. Kaohsiung accounted for NT$59.13 billion, up 16.64% from the same period last year. The national increase was 10.03%, making Kaohsiung’s growth the highest among Taiwan’s six special municipalities.

Concerts and large-scale events generated publicity and drew visitors from other counties and cities, helping Kaohsiung push through the broader weakness in domestic tourism.

Labor Ministry figures presented a different picture. In June, 48,963 hospitality workers in Kaohsiung paid into the labor pension system, with average contributory wages of NT$29,547, just NT$47 above the statutory minimum wage. Over three years, average contributory wages in the city rose 7.9%, compared with 10.36% nationwide. The increase was the lowest among the six municipalities. Taipei’s average contributory wage reached NT$32,348, with growth of 12.43%.

A former restaurant worker identified as Huang said wages were generally low and working hours long outside large restaurant chains. Workers also faced increasing numbers of difficult customers, Huang said, while employers complained about staff shortages but were unwilling to improve pay and benefits.

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Apart from large restaurant brands, wages among Kaohsiung operators are generally low and working hours are long. They also have to deal with more and more difficult customers. Employers often complain about staff shortages but are unwilling to improve workers’ benefits and wages.