Working abroad: Stressors and coping strategies of low-skilled migrant workers

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA M. Rahman M, T. Arif M, Safii R, Tambi Z, Jantan Z, F. Ismail M. Perceived knowledge, attitude towards HIV/AIDS, and sexual behavior among migrant workers in Malaysia: a structural path analysis. HIV & AIDS Review. International Journal of HIV-Related Problems. 2021;20(3):213-222. doi:10.5114/hivar.2021.109631. APA M. Rahman, M., T. Arif, M., Safii, R., Tambi, Z., Jantan, Z., & F. Ismail, M. (2021). Perceived knowledge, attitude towards HIV/AIDS, and sexual behavior among migrant workers in Malaysia: a structural path analysis. HIV & AIDS Review. International Journal of HIV-Related Problems, 20(3), 213-222. https://doi.org/10.5114/hivar.2021.109631 Chicago M. Rahman, Md, Mohd T. Arif, Razitasham Safii, Zainab Tambi, Zulkifli Jantan, and Mohd F. Ismail. 2021. "Perceived knowledge, attitude towards HIV/AIDS, and sexual behavior among migrant workers in Malaysia: a structural path analysis". HIV & AIDS Review. International Journal of HIV-Related Problems 20 (3): 213-222. doi:10.5114/hivar.2021.109631. Harvard M. Rahman, M., T. Arif, M., Safii, R., Tambi, Z., Jantan, Z., and F. Ismail, M. (2021). Perceived knowledge, attitude towards HIV/AIDS, and sexual behavior among migrant workers in Malaysia: a structural path analysis. HIV & AIDS Review. International Journal of HIV-Related Problems, 20(3), pp.213-222. https://doi.org/10.5114/hivar.2021.109631 MLA M. Rahman, Md et al. "Perceived knowledge, attitude towards HIV/AIDS, and sexual behavior among migrant workers in Malaysia: a structural path analysis." HIV & AIDS Review. International Journal of HIV-Related Problems, vol. 20, no. 3, 2021, pp. 213-222. doi:10.5114/hivar.2021.109631. Vancouver M. Rahman M, T. Arif M, Safii R, Tambi Z, Jantan Z, F. Ismail M. Perceived knowledge, attitude towards HIV/AIDS, and sexual behavior among migrant workers in Malaysia: a structural path analysis. HIV & AIDS Review. International Journal of HIV-Related Problems. 2021;20(3):213-222. doi:10.5114/hivar.2021.109631.

The research was focused on investigating the collaborative process between stakeholders and the differences in the two countries’ interests. This qualitative research was a case study with content analysis and descriptive techniques. The data collection techniques used were in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders and document collection. The study results indicate that all stages have been carried out in the collaboration process, starting from face-to-face, building trust, negotiation and discussion, and commitment. However, the differences in the two countries’ interests are also clearly visible, such as the Government of Indonesia prioritising the placement and protection of migrant workers and prioritising the protection of users (employers) and International Domestic Migrant Workers (employees or Indonesian Domestic Migrant Workers) in Malaysia.

Economic globalization, or liberalization, has been one of the major priorities of most national and global economic policies over the last two decades. Components of economic globalization/liberalization include trade and financial liberalization, deflationary macroeconomic policies, fiscal restraint, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and labor market liberalization (Razavi, 2008, p. 1). The adoption of market principles into public management and provision of public services has resulted in the elimination of subsidies, increasing poverty, unemployment, and social inequalities. Vulnerable, marginalized, and weaker sections of society, including unskilled and low-skilled workers and the poor, continue to be disadvantaged in this current economic climate that emphasizes capitalism, market economy profit and competition at the expense of social justice and human rights. Economic globalization with its associated liberalization policies has also resulted in an increase in labor mobility across borders, as in the case of capital and technology. Some people, including high-skilled, low-skilled and unskilled workers, migrate to find better wages and more job opportunities. One of these groups of low-skilled and unskilled workers includes domestic migrant workers.

Malaysia is a popular destination for low-skilled migrant workers primarily from developing and less developed countries. Their huge presence in the country has consequences for the economy and society which have sparked interest among scholars in studying the multitude of low-skilled migrant workers issues. Despite the volume of studies on low-skilled migrant workers, which cover a broad range of issues, little is known about the trend and direction of this stream of research. This paper aims to identify and highlight the main research traditions and scopes of low-skilled migrant worker studies in Malaysia by reviewing 35 articles published between 2000 and 2018. Although there are no peculiar patterns observed for the 19-year period, the increase in interest to write or research on low-skilled migrant workers among scholars is quite evidenced lately. Authors of the papers reviewed generally preferred to use either the terms “migrant workers” or “foreign workers” to refer to the low-skilled non-citizen workers in Malaysia. Almost all studies reviewed were empirical in nature that adopted more of qualitative rather than quantitative approaches to analyzing low-skilled migrant worker issues. Social, behavioral, policy, legal, and workers’ rights issues were more dominant as compared to economics and health-related issues.

In April 2022, the Governments of Indonesia and Malaysia signed an MoU on “Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers in the Domestic Sector in Malaysia” which includes recruitment and protection related to domestic workers in the domestic sector due to the large number of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia who experience acts of violence and other forms of problems working in Malaysia. This study aims to explain the form of cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia in the placement and protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia in terms of the 2022 MoU. The research uses the concept of Human Security based on the United Trust Fund for Human Security, namely Freedom From Fear and Freedom From Want. The research method used is a qualitative explanatory type by utilizing secondary data. Based on the concepts used, the researcher found that these two components affect the survival of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. The freedom from fear component, which consists of indicators in the form of personal security, shows that there are still many unfair treatment experienced by Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. Community security, the vulnerability of Indonesian migrant workers to victims of human trafficking. Political security, there are many cases of rights violations experienced by Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. Whereas in the freedom from want component, which consists of indicators in the form of Economic security, high unemployment rates, easy access to Malaysia, as well as increasing economic needs are factors of working abroad. Food security, the large number of migrant workers who experience the threat and impact of hunger, to malnutrition at work. Health security, the lack of effort and protection for the health of migrant workers in Malaysia, and Environmental security, the government's efforts to protect the safety of migrant workers working abroad.

Protecting Indonesian migrant workers (IMWs) in Malaysia is a matter of great significance due to Indonesia's status as one of the primary source countries for migrant workers to Malaysia. Consequently, it necessitates the implementation of comprehensive governance measures by both nations. This paper aims to analyze the joint endeavors and collaborative frameworks established between governments of Indonesia and Malaysia. Additionally, it seeks to identify the network of policies and innovations enacted in both countries related to the protection and regulation of migrant workers. This research was enhanced through the utilization of NVivo qualitative analysis software. This article shows that efforts to protect IMWs in Malaysia involve many government institutions in both countries, especially at ministerial and departmental levels. The policies established between the two countries are also able to support the success of migrant protection, especially with the agreement between the two countries in the form of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU gave birth to innovation in digital-based migrant worker protection services, namely a "one channel system" as the only official mechanism for recruiting workers. However, at the implementation stage, this innovation has not gone well and necessitated a sincere effort from both countries in implementing it, especially Malaysia as the destination country. Keywords: Indonesian Migrant Workers, Policy Network, Innovation, Governance

Low income and high unemployment in labour sending countries and high income and low unemployment in labour receiving countries are frequently justified as push and pull factors of migrant workers, respectively. Indonesia is the main labour-exporting country to Malaysia but the studies on the push factors in Indonesia and the pull factors in Malaysia are very limited. This paper has three objectives. The first objective is to examine the long-run relationship among income and unemployment in Indonesia and Malaysia and the Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. This is followed by examining the causality between the variables in the second objective, and the extent to which income and unemployment in Indonesia and Malaysia determine the Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia in the third objective. Time series data were employed and analysed by utilizing the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) framework. The findings show a long-run relationship among income and unemployment in Indonesia and Malaysia and the Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. Only unidirectional causality is found in the long-run, which is from income and unemployment in Indonesia and Malaysia to Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. The findings also show that the Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia are significantly determined by income and unemployment, positively in the case of Indonesia, and negatively, in Malaysia.

In Korea low-skilled migrant workers increased drastically entering the 1990s. In 2003 ‘Employment Permit Scheme (EPS)’ was introduced as social consensus formed that there should be legal channels to employ low-skilled migrant workers while providing proper treatment for them. In 2007 ‘Training-Working Scheme’ under which migrant workers were treated trainees, not workers, was folded into the EPS. Different set of policies have been implemented for overseas Koreans reflecting the experiences of 36 years of Japanese colonial rule. Through implementing EPS, the government mainly aims to prevent corruption that might occur in the admission process of migrant workers and establish the employment order for migrant workers by suppressing undocumented stay and illegal employment. EPS has made a remarkable process in terms of achieving transparency and eradicating the corruption in the admission process. The number of undocumented migrants including low-skilled migrant workers reached its peak in 2002 at 289,239 then declined to 179,846 in March 2013. Among those, who entered Korea through EPS and ‘Working Visit Scheme’ accounts for 24.1% and 2.5% respectively. Even though the number of undocumented migrant workers has significantly reduced after the implementation of EPS, they are still a big part of migrant workers who are in the dead zone of labor rights and human rights. However, Korea’s temporary low-skilled migrant worker program, EPS cannot be free from the criticism that it is a mere short-term manpower supply policy lacking comprehensive consideration of how to embrace low-skilled migrant workers as a migration policy or as a countermeasure to population changes.

Objective: To investigate the status of Strongyloides(S.) stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia for the first time and identify risk factors. Methods: Four diagnostic methods were employed for the detection of S. stercoralis including microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a commercial kit, ELISA using the rSs1a antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Low and semi-skilled workers from five working sectors (i.e. manufacturing, food service, agriculture and plantation, construction and domestic service) were tested on a voluntary basis. Results: The overall seroprevalence of S. stercoralis from 483 workers employing the ELISA commercial kit for IgG was 35.8% (n=173; 95% CI: 31.5%-40.1%) whereas seroprevalence using the rSs1a-ELISA was 13.0% (n=63; 95% CI: 10.0%-16.0%). Cross tabulation between the ELISA commercial kit and rSs1a-ELISA showed that only 6.4% (n=31; 95% CI: 4.2%-8.6%) of the samples were positive in both tests. Microscopic examination of all 388 fecal samples were negative; however subsequent testing by a nested PCR against DNA from the same samples successfully amplified DNA from three male subjects (0.8%; 3/388). Male workers, India and Myanmar nationality, food service occupation and those living in the hostel were statistically significant with seroprevalence (P Conclusion: This is the first report on the epidemiology of S. stercoralis infections among the migrant workers in Malaysia. Our results highlight the importance of using appropriate diagnostic tools for detection. The presence of anti-S. stercoralis antibodies in the study population calls for improvements in personal hygiene and sanitation standards among migrant workers in Malaysia through control strategies including health education campaigns and programs aimed at increasing awareness and healthy behaviors.

This community service program is titled "Using Social Media to Improve Emotional Wellbeing Through Interpersonal Communication for Migrant Workers in Malaysia". The main objective of this activity is to utilize social media as a tool to improve the emotional wellbeing of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia through improved interpersonal communication. Through training in the use of social media platforms, especially Telegram, participants are taught how to build and maintain strong social relationships, share experiences, and get emotional support virtually. This approach is expected to reduce social isolation, address stigma related to mental health, and strengthen inclusive communities among migrant workers. This program supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 10, and 17 by reducing the risk of mental disorders, reducing social inequality, and building strategic partnerships for the sustainability of the support platform. Indicators of success include active participation of at least 70% and an increase in emotional wellbeing as measured through surveys or interviews, such as increased life satisfaction and reduced feelings of loneliness. It is hoped that this activity can be an innovative model in utilizing social media to support interpersonal communication and mental wellbeing of migrant workers in Malaysia in a sustainable manner.

Purpose This study investigates the multidimensional challenges experienced by Bangladeshi migrant workers (BMWs) in Malaysia's construction sector and explores their implications on social well-being using Keyes' (1998) five-domain framework: social integration, social acceptance, social contribution, social actualization, and social coherence. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a qualitative case study approach using semi-structured interviews with 40 Bangladeshi construction workers, two key informant interviews (KIIs), and two field observations. Data were analyzed thematically, and findings were interpreted using Keyes' (1998) social well-being framework. Findings The study reveals that BMWs face interlocking forms of structural, economic, and psychosocial exploitation. Challenges include excessive migration fees, wage disparities, unsafe working conditions, restricted access to healthcare, legal harassment, and profound social exclusion. These hardships severely undermine all five domains of social well-being—limiting their sense of belonging, value, contribution, hope, and coherence. The study also highlights how limited access to collective representation and the fear of deportation constrain migrant agency and psychosocial resilience. Research limitations/implications The findings are based on one nationality and sector, potentially limiting generalizability. However, the study offers a transferable framework for examining the well-being of other migrant groups across sectors using a rights-based, psychosocial lens. Practical implications The findings highlight the urgent need for policies that ensure wage fairness, healthcare access, legal protection, and social inclusion. Specific attention should be given to psychosocial support and mechanisms for collective representation. Social implications Improving the well-being of migrant workers is vital not only for social justice but also for fostering cohesive, inclusive societies. Interventions grounded in well-being frameworks can help realign labor governance with international human rights standards. Originality/value This study contributes original insights by applying Keyes' (1998) framework to analyze the lived experiences of Bangladeshi migrant workers, offering a novel psychosocial perspective on migrant well-being. It bridges the gap between policy discourse and grounded realities, offering actionable guidance for policymakers, labor advocates, and international stakeholders.

This study addresses efforts made by Indonesian government actors in Malaysia and Hong Kong to protect Indonesian women migrant workers in the informal sector working in both countries. Indonesian female migrant workers in Malaysia were numbered the highest in Southeast Asia, while Indonesian female migrant workers in Hong Kong were the highest in Asia. The theories and ideas used in this research are the concepts of countries and migrant workers suggested by Gunawardana with the classification of brokerage, regulatory and protectionist regimes. The increasing number of work-related cases of violence, access to health, and legal protection indicates that the problems faced by Indonesian women migrant workers and the role of government protection remain partially addressed. By using qualitative research methods, and in-depth interviews, the current study found that Indonesian government actors in Malaysia made efforts to protect two women migrant workers who were victims of violence. However, it was not only due to protection efforts but also because of the role that civil society had in their efforts to resolve the cases. Meanwhile, Indonesian government actors in Hong Kong had not performed optimally in seeking protective measures for victims of violence, and there was a dominant protective role maintained by civil society in Hong Kong in regards to the Erwiana case. The domestic recruitment process, which is quite lacking in terms of protection, had an effect on the violence experienced by the two Indonesian female migrant workers in Malaysia and had no effect on the Indonesian female migrant worker in Hong Kong. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the role of Indonesian government actors in protecting women migrant workers is part of the protectionist regime but is partially executed because they had not been afforded protection since their departure. The novelty of this research is that the role maintained by civil society has led to the shift of the broker regime toward the protectionist. This research discovered a new finding that given the role of civil society and the synergy between government actors and civil society, the role of the Indonesian government is identified to be in the protectionist regime even though it is partial and conditional, namely given the role and participation that civil society holds.

Most countries in the world depend on migrant workers to do the Dirty, Dangerous, and Demanding (3D) jobs in their country. This study will highlight Malaysia and Qatar because both countries depend on migrant workers as a major workforce. Still, the international community criticized the way they treated their migrant workers. This study is important in terms of giving a clear picture and better understanding of the housing condition of migrant workers in Malaysia and Qatar. Does the condition improve or not after the Covid-19 strike? This study aims to analyse the housing condition of migrant workers in Malaysia and Qatar from 2017 until 2022. This article used the qualitative research method. This article was also written based on primary data and document analysis. The primary data for this article was obtained from the field. The researcher conducted semi-structured face-to-face interviews and phone calls with ten migrant workers and five locals in Malaysia. For secondary data, document analysis was done using a series of academic journals, reports, and digital materials. This article indicates that the housing condition of some migrant workers in Malaysia and Qatar did improve after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, some of them still lived in the same condition because of their employers’ ignorance. The issues of migrant workers’ housing cannot be resolved easily without cooperating with stakeholders and taking a long-term comprehensive approach.

<p>The COVID-19 pandemic has had a swift and dramatic impact on every aspect of Canadian life. This paper explores how the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have altered the positionality of low-skilled migrant workers in the Canadian immigration regime and labour market. Using Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological framework and concept of political capital, this paper seeks to explain how low-skilled migrant workers temporarily benefited from the distinction they received as essential workers during the pandemic in the form of new, albeit temporary, pathways to permanent residency. The designation of “essential” provided to low-skilled migrants and the distinction that accompanied it allowed them to experience an increased accumulation of political capital and redistribution of influential power. This paper will examine the Temporary Residency to Permanent Residency Pathway and Guardian Angel Program as examples of the fluctuations in Immigrant, Refugees and Citizenship in Canada’s practices during the pandemic and as temporary public policy responses to the increase in political capital accumulated by low-skilled migrant workers.</p>

<p>The COVID-19 pandemic has had a swift and dramatic impact on every aspect of Canadian life. This paper explores how the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have altered the positionality of low-skilled migrant workers in the Canadian immigration regime and labour market. Using Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological framework and concept of political capital, this paper seeks to explain how low-skilled migrant workers temporarily benefited from the distinction they received as essential workers during the pandemic in the form of new, albeit temporary, pathways to permanent residency. The designation of “essential” provided to low-skilled migrants and the distinction that accompanied it allowed them to experience an increased accumulation of political capital and redistribution of influential power. This paper will examine the Temporary Residency to Permanent Residency Pathway and Guardian Angel Program as examples of the fluctuations in Immigrant, Refugees and Citizenship in Canada’s practices during the pandemic and as temporary public policy responses to the increase in political capital accumulated by low-skilled migrant workers.</p>