Ko Chih-en's Second Labor Policy Targets NT$750,000 Average Salary for Kaohsiung by 2030

As a candidate for Kaohsiung mayor, Ko Chih-en's second labor policy package directly addresses the pressing concerns of our city's workforce. The "summer heat protection plan" is a crucial initiative, recognizing the harsh realities faced by construction workers and outdoor laborers in Kaohsiung's increasingly long and hot summers. It's not just about luck; it's about the city government's responsibility to ensure workplace safety, especially given Kaohsiung's historically high rate of occupational injuries among the six major cities.

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Kaohsiung's occupational injury rate has been among the highest in the six major cities since 2017, reflecting that current occupational safety management must keep pace with the times.

This plan, which proposes flexible work schedules like early morning and late afternoon shifts, aims to shield workers from the most dangerous midday heat. Furthermore, Ko's strategy extends beyond mere compliance, advocating for the integration of smart technology and automated monitoring to shift from reactive disaster response to proactive prevention. The introduction of an industry risk classification and blacklist system will hold negligent employers accountable and incentivize better safety practices.

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Strengthening occupational safety should not just be about fines, but also about implementing prevention through management.

Crucially, Ko's "high-salary industry strategy" redefines Kaohsiung's approach to economic development. Investment attraction will no longer solely focus on scale but will critically evaluate the salary levels offered to local workers. This ensures that economic growth translates into tangible income increases for families, embodying a true commitment to distributive justice. The ambitious target of raising the average annual salary to NT$750,000 and the median salary to NT$580,000 by 2030, supported by technical training and talent development, signals a forward-thinking vision for Kaohsiung.

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In the future, Kaohsiung's investment attraction will no longer focus solely on the scale of investment, but will make 'salary level' a necessary condition for obtaining city government resources.

From our perspective at Liberty Times, Ko Chih-en's proposals are not just campaign promises; they represent a concrete plan to improve the lives of Kaohsiung's residents. While national media might focus on the political race, we highlight the substance of these policies and their potential to create a more equitable and prosperous city. This story is uniquely interesting to us because it speaks directly to the economic well-being and safety of our citizens, a core concern for any publication dedicated to serving the people of Kaohsiung.

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We expect that by 2030, Kaohsiung's average annual total salary will increase from the current NT$687,000 to NT$750,000, and the median salary will increase from NT$542,000 to NT$580,000.