Abstract
The labor market has been changed toward more flexible and atypical by the impact of globalization. In most OECD countries, the share of employed youth who are working part-time or in temporary jobs grew during the past decade. In recent years, the share of part-time in total employment has been rising gradually in Taiwan. Although it is still low compared with other countries, the trend of rising atypical employment should not be ignored. In Taiwan, many youths are so-called “Freeters”, who live on temporary or part-time jobs. We can see that such type of work may be one way for the youth to enter the labor market. Besides, with the trend of internet technology, SOHO(Small Office, Home Office), which is frequently discussed, also indicates that atypical work has become another choice of youth employment. Depth interviews were used for data collection. The participants include 20 college graduated youths, aged 20-30, who are freeters and SOHO at present. Based on the context of rising unemployment and atypical employment, this research focuses on the impact on atypical workers such as freeters and SOHO with the 2008 global financial crisis. The purpose of this research is to probe into four aspects of freeters and SOHO in Taiwan: (1) the present situation, employment trajectory and future development; (2) their employability and personal characteristics; (3) the reasons of being freeters and SOHO, and the channels of seeking work opportunities; (4) the different and common points, strengths and weaknesses of both. In conclusion, recommendations for policy makers and the following research are also discussed and presented.
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