Taiwan passes bill to cut veterans’ pensions that sparked violent protests
Vote is a victory for Tsai Ing-wen, whose reform push faced intense opposition
Taiwan’s military veterans will see their pensions cut as soon as next month after parliament passed a controversial bill that had sparked violent demonstrations.
Wednesday’s vote marks a victory for President Tsai Ing-wen, whose attempts to make sweeping pension cutbacks since she came to power two years ago have faced intense opposition.
Senior veterans will see their monthly stipend cut by more than 20 per cent over the next decade, after a smaller initial drop, according to official estimates.
The government says veterans of lower ranks will see less severe cuts to their pensions.
Tsai has said pension reform is her most important task, with official reports warning that an unreformed pension system could be bankrupt by 2020.