OUTLAWS ON THE JADE ISLAND: RUNAWAY VIETNAMESE MIGRANT WORKERS IN TAIWAN

Vu Le Toan Khoa

doi:10.22452/jati.vol24no1.7

Abstract

The phenomenon of ‘runaway’ migrant contract workers in Taiwan has attracted the attention of both the Taiwanese and Vietnamese governments. According to the National Immigration Agency in Taiwan, by 31 October 2017, the total number of runaway foreign workers was 52,891. Of these, Vietnamese workers were the largest subgroup, at 25,626 people. This research draws on data from in-depth interviews with 49 ‘runaway’ Vietnamese migrant workers in Taiwan. This research study not only explores the factors that force some Vietnamese migrant workers to give up their legal status and become outlaws in Taiwan, but it also provides a detailed understanding of the daily lives and working conditions of illegal Vietnamese workers. This research study reveals that migrant social networks play an important role in the lives of Vietnamese workers, offering a vital source of material and psychological support. Moreover, the research also shows how huge debt and guest-worker policies force Vietnamese migrant workers to run away. Keywords: Vietnam, foreign worker, illegal working, runaway migrant workers/escaping migrant workers, social network, Taiwan

Highlights

Since the 1960s, the blossoming economy in Taiwan has promoted industrialisation of the island
The Vietnamese government issued Decree No 95/2013/NĐ-CP, which was effected in October 2013 and imposes a heavy fine of between 80 million and 100 million dong (US $3,500-4,800) on Vietnamese workers who quit their job without permission and illegally stay in foreign countries
Discrimination, getting paid less than the minimum wage, a lack of respect, poor working/living environments, and heavy workloads tend to cause these foreign workers to become enraged with their employers in Taiwan

Summary

Introduction

Since the 1960s, the blossoming economy in Taiwan has promoted industrialisation of the island. For the last three decades, waiji laogong have been performing work classified as “3D” (dirty, dangerous, and difficult) in addition to serving as domestic workers in private homes These foreign workers are called migrant workers. The Vietnamese government issued Decree No 95/2013/NĐ-CP, which was effected in October 2013 and imposes a heavy fine of between 80 million and 100 million dong (US $3,500-4,800) on Vietnamese workers who quit their job without permission and illegally stay in foreign countries. Despite this measure, the number of runaway Vietnamese workers has continued to rise. This study discusses working experiences, survival strategies, and job seeking, as well as the role of social networks, economic duties, and the daily trials of Vietnamese workers who are on the run

Literature Review

Methodology

Conclusion