Lawmakers concerned over budget for all-volunteer military
ROC Central News Agency
2012/03/22 17:09:11
Taipei, March 22 (CNA) Lawmakers expressed concern Thursday about whether Taiwan can transform its compulsory military service system to a full volunteer service, citing issues such as the budget needed for such an undertaking.
They voiced their doubts after Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said earlier in the day that the Ministry of National Defense is planning to offer volunteer military personnel a salary of double the country's minimum wage under the new system.
Currently, the minimum wage in Taiwan stands at NT$18,780 (US$626) per month.
The ministry's plan is part of an effort to encourage people to join the armed forces and to enlist for longer, according to a ministry report submitted to the Legislature.
An increased budget will be necessary if the new system is to be implemented, the report added.
However, legislators such as Hsiao Bi-khim and Tsai Huang-liang questioned how the ministry will be able to operate the new system amid the downward trend of the national defense budget.
At a legislative interpellation session, Kao said in response that the ministry will seek the budget necessary to fulfill the policy.
"Only with a reasonable budget will we be able to attract outstanding people to join the military," he added.
The all-volunteer military system is part of a package of amendments to the Act of Military Service System passed by the Legislature last December.
Starting 2013, Taiwanese males born after Jan. 1, 1994 are to be exempted from the current one-year compulsory military service, but will still be required to undergo a mandatory four-month military training period upon reaching conscription age, the ministry said.
The training will be divided into a two-month boot camp, followed by two months of specialist training, the ministry added.
(By Elaine Hou)
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