Becoming Immaterial Labour: The Case of Macau’s Internet Users

Abstract

Macau’s peculiar position not only demonstrates its potential as a nodal point of the logistical worlds but also offers a local illustration of the transformation of labour in the Internet age. This chapter employs the concept of ‘immaterial labour’ to explore how Macau’s Internet users become immaterial labourers by investigating what, how, and why they produce in the emerging information economy. It contributes to the field by proposing the need of an empirical study to understand the manifestations of immaterial labour practices—in particular what they do, how they work, and why they turn individuals into free labourers.