Taiwan's Presidential Office had to cancel most of its annual charity Mid-Autumn orders after lawmakers slashed its discretionary budget, hurting workshops that employ disabled workers.

• The office planned to buy mooncakes and goods from 37 sheltered workshops and charities, but could not pay for them.
• Its discretionary fund was cut by NT$10 million and another NT$20 million was frozen, with no unfreezing date set.
• President Lai Ching-te will personally put up NT$200,000 to buy workshop products and is urging the public and companies to do the same.
• Mid-Autumn is the biggest selling season for these workshops, so lost orders threaten their day-to-day operations.
• The office published a list of 62 partner groups so buyers can order directly.

Outlook: Whether the workshops make up the shortfall now depends on how many ordinary shoppers and businesses step in before the holiday.