Grand Hi-Lai cuts staff wages by 18% to surviveTRANSITION PERIOD: The hotel said that it would give those who take unpaid leave a NT$5,000 monthly subsidy, pay for their health insurance and offer interest-free loansBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterKaohsiung-based Grand Hi-Lai Hotel (漢來大飯店) has temporarily cut wages for all employees by 18 percent and is encouraging them to take unpaid leave to withstand a slump in business caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pay cut, tentatively for three months, would affect all 300 employees, Grand Hi-Lai Hotel general manager Lin Zi-kuan (林子寬) said, adding that occupancy has plunged to less than 20 percent. The Grand Hi-Lai Hotel in Kaohsiung on Tuesday lights up windows in the shape of a smiley face to celebrate Taiwan reporting no new COVID-19 cases. Photo: Chang Chung-i, Taipei TimesHotel officials proposed the measure, which won the support of all staff, Lin said. The Grand Hi-Lai Hotel has also encouraged employees to take unpaid leave, and it would distribute NT$5,000 in monthly subsidies and pay for their health insurance until the hotel can resume normal operations, Lin said.

Source: Taipei Times April 17, 2020 15:56 UTC