透早逛跳蚤市場 (二) / Early Morning Strolling in the Flea Market (Part Two)

世界上的很多國家，因為產業結構由勞力密集產業走向技術及資本密集產業等因素，勞動力成本大幅提升，造成企業運營上的影響，所以，導致台灣自1989年制定了外籍勞工引進政策，開始用外籍勞工從事低技術之勞力工作，又因為台灣人口結構日趨老化，照護需求亦逐步成長，1992年起，並開放外籍看護工與外籍家庭幫傭之引進，時進今日，外籍勞工已經超過70萬，幾乎每32台灣人口中就有一名是外籍勞工，在前幾年的疫情期間，外籍勞工有降到66.6萬，但隨著國境重新開放，人數又回到了72.8萬。

外籍勞工在台灣經常和負面新聞掛鉤，如外籍幫傭偷竊雇主財物等，而這樣的稱呼逐漸成為帶有貶意、歧視意識形態的指稱，但於 2019年5月1日起將「外籍勞工」在中華民國居留證上的居留事由正式改為「移工」，也逐漸在社會論述和談話中被稱為「移工」，更強調的是透過「移動」、「遷移」來求職或工作的人。

在跳蚤市場，會很常看到移工們成群結隊出現，一開始，我也蠻訝異他們怎麼會出現在跳蚤市場，因為跳蚤市場的特性，不像是觀光夜市，會有新聞媒體或是網紅達人們等詳加介紹，大多是宣揚正面或歡樂的形象，跳蚤市場是相對小眾的，較偏於社會的陰暗面或底層生活的形象，就連一般台灣人可能也不清楚那些市場在那裡，進而很少會出沒該處，後來，再觀察移工們的行為，就不難發現，他們大多是過來找便宜貨的，但也有部份是來和同鄉們交流的，如同我前文提到，對於某些人而言，跳蚤市場是個寶庫，花點時間是可以找到便宜實惠的東西的，而移工數量，其實已經佔台灣總人口的一部份，假如，跳蚤市場沒有他們的身影，反而不對勁。

移工們到跳蚤市場會採買甚麼東西呢?主要是日常生活用品，這邊有大量的二手衣物，別問我攤主怎麼批到這些二手衣物的，我認為，有可能是從不法的管道取得的，另外，這邊也有相對便宜的食品，像是泡麵、零食、點心、調味料等，此外，還有些便宜3C用品，據我的觀察，二手手機的詢問度蠻高的，常常看到一大堆移工們在那挑二手手機，想想也是，一個人身在外地，能夠和家鄉們的親朋好友們聊上幾句，應該能夠緩解一下鄉愁，雖然現在我還沒看到有移工在跳蚤市場擺攤的，但再過一段時間，如同之前提過的那家印尼料理小吃店，新住民們的下一代，或許就會開始進駐跳蚤市場了。

In many countries around the world, the shift from labor-intensive industries to technology and capital-intensive industries has led to a significant increase in labor costs, affecting businesses’ operations. Consequently, Taiwan formulated a policy to introduce foreign labor in 1989 to meet the demand for low-skilled labor. Additionally, with an aging population and growing care needs, Taiwan also opened its doors to foreign caregivers and domestic helpers in 1992. Today, the number of foreign workers has surpassed 700,000, with nearly one in every 32 people in Taiwan being a foreign worker. During the recent pandemic, the number temporarily decreased to 666,000, but with the reopening of borders, it has now rebounded to 728,000.

Foreign workers in Taiwan often make headlines for negative reasons, such as cases of theft by foreign domestic helpers. This labeling has gradually become a derogatory and discriminatory term. However, on May 1, 2019, Taiwan officially changed the reason for stay on residence permits from “foreign labor” to “migrant worker,” a term now more commonly used in social discourse. This shift emphasizes that these individuals seek employment through migration and mobility.

You can frequently see groups of migrant workers at flea markets. Initially, I was surprised to see them there because flea markets are not like tourist night markets, which are often promoted by media or influencers with positive and cheerful images. Flea markets are relatively niche and associated with the darker or lower strata of society. Even many Taiwanese people might not be aware of the locations of these markets and rarely visit them. However, upon closer observation, it becomes evident that migrant workers often come to find affordable goods and also to socialize with fellow countrymen. For some, flea markets are treasure troves where they can find budget-friendly items. Since migrant workers make up a considerable portion of Taiwan’s total population, their presence at flea markets is entirely natural.

So, what do migrant workers buy at flea markets? They mainly purchase daily necessities, such as second-hand clothing. I cannot be sure about how vendors acquire these used clothes, but it’s possible they come from questionable sources. Moreover, flea markets offer relatively cheap food products like instant noodles, snacks, sweets, and seasonings. There are also some inexpensive electronics, with second-hand mobile phones being quite popular among migrant workers. It makes sense when you think about it; being away from home, having a chance to chat with friends and family back home using affordable means can help ease homesickness. While I haven’t seen any migrant workers setting up stalls at flea markets yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the future, their children or the next generation of new immigrants start doing so, just like that Indonesian eatery I mentioned earlier.