虛擬的財富之都: 臺灣青年於菲律賓從事線上博奕產業的都市生活與社會流動

Abstract

本論文研究從事線上博弈產業臺灣青年的跨國遷移現象，探討他們在菲律賓的都市生活，以及跨國工作所帶來的社會流動機會和限制。本論文整理當代臺灣青年遷移動機與矛盾，並理解社會流動如何鑲嵌於跨國兩地，以及跨國階級移動的工作者如何改變菲律賓馬尼拉的都市空間。 在疫情前，越來越多臺灣青年前往東南亞投身於線上博弈產業。然而，是什麼遷移原因使得這些青年到菲律賓從事高風險性的工作？本論文從人與空間環境互動傳統開始，並奠基於跨國遷移與全球南方都市提出研究發問。過去西方都市遷移研究著重於長期移民對於空間的影響，較少呈現短期跨國移民與接收國之間的空間互動。即使近期西方研究開始分析全球北方青年因嚮往不同生活風格而遷移到東南亞，但缺少東亞青年移工到東南亞工作的研究。本研究基於上述觀點，以菲律賓線上博弈產業為例，探討東亞青年遷移的動機，以及他們的行為如何影響馬尼拉都市空間。 本論文以質性研究方式向21名臺灣青年進行深度訪談。從2018年中至2022年，透過在馬尼拉進行田野調查、分析社群平台資料，並收集來自中國、菲律賓，與臺灣三方的政府與媒體素材，以回應本研究發問。 本論文的第四章指出菲律賓馬尼拉是東南亞唯一能提供線上博弈產業發展的國家。線上博弈產業並非在2016年菲律賓政府合法化才形成，而是建立在都市基礎設施與區域政治逐漸發展起來。線上博弈產業依賴菲律賓都市的中介基礎設施，導致線上博弈青年工作者集中於馬尼拉，形成線上博弈產業飛地。第五章中，我將視角切換至跨國遷移者。臺灣青年投身線上博弈產業的動機建立在跨國兩地之間的政治經濟與社會結構，和個人生命議題的渴望，而此動機多數屬於臺灣推力勝過菲律賓的拉力。由於線上博弈產業產業的特殊性，臺灣青年成為短暫的跨國工作者。但他們不同於打工度假與遊學的臺灣青年，從事線上博弈產業能夠使其經濟位階的抬升，並且改變菲律賓的消費空間娛樂，且帶動都市房地產市場。在第六章中，我解釋了線上博弈產業員工跨國移動的困境。儘管臺灣青年經濟地位有所提高，但線上博弈產業受到區域政治影響，且就業環境未能提升個人語言與文化資本下，使他們的社會階級難以提升。此外，線上博弈產業面臨政治制度的挑戰，以及新冠疫情下加劇產業內部問題，使線上博弈產業工作者面臨未來危殆的就業選擇。 綜上所述，本論文認為菲律賓發展線上博弈產業源於長期建立的中介基礎設施和IT-BPO產業發展脈絡，因此吸引該產業集中於馬尼拉。此外，臺灣青年的多重動機也反映當代青年教育水準與經歷的提升，勇於嘗試海外工作的可能性。然而，此遷移也凸顯母國就業環境的困境。本論文期盼在分析線上博弈產業集中於菲律賓都市的發展下，解釋線上博弈工作者如何透過其異國空間感到階級抬升，以及社會流動的想像如何成為當代青年遷移的動力。本論文最重要的貢獻在於闡釋當代青年面對危殆的母國社會，如何透過跨國遷移實現階級流動；也藉由更廣的政治經濟與社會分析，理解其並非長期的階級抬升，反而容易使跨國青年陷入產業困境之中。

This dissertation aims to analyze the intertwined motivation of transnational migration, urban space, and social mobility. Through the interview with the young Taiwanese in Metro Manila, the Philippines, this research seeks to shed light on the paradox of transnational migration, how social mobility is embedded within both sending countries and receiving countries, and how Taiwanese migrants reproduce the urban spaces within Metro Manila. Since the 2010s, the number of Taiwanese migrant workers has been increasing in the Philippines, and most new Chinese workers are involved in the emerging online gambling industry. In order to understand the motivation of young Taiwanese migrants, following the approach of the intersection of the human and environment, I focus on transnational migration in an urban area in the Global South. In the past, the western academy concentrates on long-term migration (permanent residence) and ethnic space, but short-term migration was rarely described. Thus, the research can build the bridge from lacking the knowledge to know why young East Asian people go to Southeast Asia. From 2018 to 2022, based on qualitative research, data were collected through participant observation, in depth-interviews, and secondary data. In order to understand the local environment, I lived in Metro Manila, the Philippines, for thirteen months to conduct fieldwork. From 2018 to 2019, I, as a tourist guide, participated in the daily life of POGO workers to understand their emotions. Twenty-one young Taiwanese workers were selected by working experience, gender, and living years. In addition, a variety of secondary data were collected from the Philippines, Taiwan, and China to respond to research questions. In chapter four, I describe that the Philippines is the only nation in Southeast Asia that could operate the online gambling industry. Some critics pointed out that the online gaming industry has flourished since Duterte’s legalization in 2016, while I illustrate that online gambling is established by its infrastructure, political atmosphere, and building environment after the 2000s. Chapter five explains that the motivation of young migrants is based on the political economy and society of both the sending country and receiving country. Muti-motivation, aspiration, and precarious life drive young Taiwanese to the Philippines. Consequently, these young online gambling workers reproduce the urban space that contains consumption spaces, living spaces, and real estate in the host country. Chapter six analyzes the paradox of the online gambling industry and the dilemma of young migrants. I emphasize that young online gambling workers cannot guarantee their dream of social mobility because of international rules, undocumented companies, and the working environment. In conclusion, this dissertation contributes to how multi-motivation (aspiration), space, and social mobility plays a crucial role for young Taiwanese in migrating and working overseas. Significantly, this research offers a story of how transnational migration reshapes cities in the Global South and what motivates young people to migrate and work in the Philippines.