東藏西躲的漂泊生活——越南籍勞工在臺灣的「逃逸機制」

The Hidden and Wandering Life: The Escaping Mechanism of Vietnamese Workers in Taiwan

依據內政部移民署2016年12月31日統計資料顯示目前在臺外籍勞工行蹤不明總人數為53,734人，其中越南籍快超過一半，共有26,308人。這些逃逸越南籍外籍勞工如何在臺灣異地生存下來？逃逸的過程如何？有什麼的因素促成了越南籍勞工在臺灣的「逃逸機制」？本研究發現：造成越南外籍勞工逃跑的原因主要為「結構因素」。此外，社會網絡對逃逸越南外勞扮演一個很重要的角色，這個社會網絡除了協助這些逃逸越南外勞尋求心理上的安全感之外，還幫忙他們找工作、提供宿舍或者幫忙藏躲警察。本研究也探討逃逸越南外勞與非法雇主的關係，那是一種「魚幫水，水幫魚」─彼此依存的關係，雙方沒有誰都不行，彼此都依持著對方而存活著。

According to the Department of Immigration of Taiwan, by December 31, 2016 the total number of escaping foreign workers was 53,734 people. Vietnamese workers make up nearly half of this group, with 26,308 people. How do Vietnamese workers who have overstayed their visas survive in Taiwan? What does the extrication process entail? What mechanism(s) has (have) contributed to this trend? This research shows that such ‘structural factors’ are the main reason for Vietnamese migrant workers escaping. Besides, social networks play a very important in the runaway of Vietnamese workers. Social networks enable Vietnamese workers to find psychological security, work, a place to live, and assistance in hiding from the police. This research also investigated the mutually beneficial relationship between the workers and their illegal employers. As the Chinese saying goes, “fish help water, water help fish.” Both sides are interdependent and coexist together.