Adjustment Factors on the Work Performance of Bangladeshi Temporary Contract Workers in Malaysia

Abstract

This is an empirical study on Bangladeshi workers’ socio-cultural adjustment to Malaysian environment in Kuala Lumpur. It explores and assesses three-dimensional adjustments—social, work and non-work environment—of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia. The focus is on socio-cultural adjustment to the general or non-work environment, adjustment to work and adjustment to interactions with co-workers and the locals. The first stage of the study is based on the interview with 25 Bangladeshi temporary migrant workers to collect relevant information about their level of adjustment. The difficulty in getting the list of migrant worker did not allow the researchers to select samples randomly. On the second stage, 100 respondents were selected from the area according to purposive and snowball sampling procedure. The data were analysed using SPSS version 18.0 software. Cronbach alpha was computed to ascertain the reliability and validity of the instrument. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The study revealed that Bangladeshi workers’ adjustment on non-work or general adjustment and interaction adjustment are quite high, but their adjustment is less on work adjustment dimension. Furthermore, workers’ degree of comfort (adjustment) with non-work condition was related to their performance of work, but their degree of comfort (adjustment) with work adjustment and interaction adjustment is not related to their work performance. The study suggested that adequate measures should be taken to provide pre-departure training on job and host county’s culture to the expected migrant workers. The government of the native country should also monitor the activities of recruiting agencies.