Workers In Malaysia Research Articles

What inhibits “speaking up” for patient safety among healthcare workers? A cross-sectional study in Malaysia

BackgroundIn healthcare, “speaking up” refers to when healthcare workers raise concerns regarding patient safety through questions, sharing information, or expressing their opinion to prevent harmful incidents and ensure patient safety. Conversely, withholding voice is an act of not raising concerns, which could be beneficial in certain situations. Factors associated with speaking up and withholding voices are not fully understood, especially in strong authoritarian societies, such as Malaysia. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with speaking up and withholding the voices of healthcare workers in Malaysia, thus providing suggestions that can be used in other countries facing similar patient safety challenges.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Sarawak State, Malaysia. Data were collected from 474 healthcare workers from 43 departments using a self-administered questionnaire for speaking up and withholding voices measures in 4 weeks prior to data analysis as well as socio-demographic factors of healthcare workers (sex, age group, profession, department, weekly work hours for patient care, years of employment in the hospital, and the hierarchical level) and speaking up related climate of the working environment were recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was performed to find out (adjusted) odds ratio of frequent speaking up and withholding voices.ResultsNurse compared to doctors and healthcare workers with short weekly working hours were more likely to speak up. Healthcare workers in emergency and intensive care department, those with short years of employment, and those who worked at low hierarchical levels were less likely to speak up. Healthcare workers in discouraging environment towards speaking up were more likely to withhold their voices.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the characteristics of healthcare workers who speak up and those who withhold their voices in Malaysia. To ensure patient safety and prevent harm, it is essential to establish an encouraging environment that promotes speaking up and prevents withholding voices among healthcare worker, especially in circumstances where multiple types of healthcare workers with different socio-demographic backgrounds work together.

Living beyond borders: the international legal framework to protecting rights to health of Indonesian illegal migrant workers in Malaysia

PurposeThis study aims to analyse in the health access of Indonesian illegal migrant workers in Malaysia, during which time they were not covered by Indonesia’s national social health insurance.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a sociolegal approach, the research approach is conducted to understand the effect of a law, policy and regulation on access to health-care access among Indonesian migrant workers working illegally in Malaysia. This research involved 110 respondents who work illegally in Malaysia. The research explored the perceptions of respondents concerning to health access services of illegal migrant workers.FindingsThe study demonstrated the weakness of provisions intended to guarantee the health access to health care of migrant workers from Indonesia illegally working in Malaysia. A decline in health status was observed, but it was not significant. Bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia is necessary to provide a framework for Indonesia providing health care to its citizens working in Malaysia, regardless of their legal status.Originality/valueThis paper concerns on the Indonesia illegal migrant workers experiencing illness and the access to the health service in Malaysia, and also the implementation of international regulation to protect Indonesian illegal migrant workers in Malaysia under ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

Translation and trans-cultural adaptation to the Malay version of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy questionnaire among healthcare workers in Malaysia.

Healthcare workers play a crucial role in supporting COVID-19 vaccination as they are the most trusted source of information to the public population. Assessing the healthcare workers' hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination is pertinent, however, there are limited validated tools to measure their hesitancy on COVID-19 vaccines. This study aims to adapt and validate the first COVID-19 hesitancy scale among healthcare workers in Malaysia. This study adapted and translated the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) developed by the WHO SAGE Working Group. The scale underwent a sequential validation process, including back-back translation, content, face, and construct validity for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The reliability was tested using internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha composite reliability (CR) and average variance extracted (AVE)). The data for EFA and CFA were completed by a separate sample of 125 and 300 HCWs, respectively. The EFA analysis of the C19-VHS-M scale was unidimensional with 10 items. A further CFA analysis revealed a uniform set of nine items with acceptable goodness fit indices (comparative fit index = 0.997, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.995, incremental fit index = 0.997, chi-squared/degree of freedom = 1.352, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.034). The Cronbach's alpha, CR and AVE results were 0.953, 0.95 and 0.70, respectively. The questionnaire was valid and reliable for use in the Malay language.

Indonesia Diplomacy in Protecting the Rights of Indonesian Migrant Domestic Workers in Malaysia (2017-2022)

This research aims to discuss the diplomatic efforts made by the Indonesian government to protect Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in the domestic sector in Malaysia, where the majority of PMI are undocumented. In this case, the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is the representative of the Republic of Indonesia in Malaysia, which provides services and protection for Indonesian Citizens (Indonesian citizens) who stay in Malaysia, including human rights and migrant worker rights that every worker must have. This research will use qualitative methods with data collection techniques from observation, interviews, participation, and literature study originating from books, journals, articles, official reports, and online news. This research implements the track one diplomacy, negotiations, and international migration concept. The findings of this study show that the Indonesian government is making diplomatic efforts with Malaysia to provide maximum protection for PMI in the domestic sector of Malaysia. One of the ways the government provides PMI protection is through lengthy negotiations with Malaysia, which eventually resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Domestic Workers in Malaysia in April 2022. Keywords: Track One Diplomacy, Indonesian Migrant Workers, Protection of Human Rights, Workers Rights

Exploring Attitudes Toward Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention Prior to Implementation Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia: Results from a Qualitative Study.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective method for prevention of HIV transmission. Female sex workers (FSW) in Malaysia are at substantially increased risk of acquiring HIV compared to the general female population, yet little is known about this population's current HIV prevention practices or acceptance of PrEP. This study aims to inform the culturally relevant implementation of PrEP through the qualitative exploration of (1) the potential need for PrEP in this population and (2) the factors that determine FSW willingness to use oral PrEP. In-depth, semi-structured interviews (n = 30) were conducted with FSW in English, Malay, or Tamil. Transcribed and translated interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. FSW express positive interest in PrEP but prefer it as a supplement to condoms, not a replacement. Perceived challenges to PrEP use include cost, adherence, and side effects. The findings suggest that in combination with condom use, PrEP may be an acceptable method of HIV prevention. Effective PrEP rollout may also include condom promotion using a peer-driven model, cost subsidies, and sex work harm reduction and empowerment components.

Toxic Positivity and Its Role among Young Adult Workers

The pandemic-fuelled rise of the “Good vibes only” has raised concerns about toxic positivity, fostering unrealistic expectations of constant happiness. This qualitative study explored the role of toxic positivity among young adult workers in Malaysia. Six Malaysian participants, aged 18 to 25 years old, were purposefully selected for a semi-structured interview to explore the challenges, risk factors, and coping strategies related to toxic positivity encounters. Three themes and seven subthemes were identified using Thematic Analysis. The study findings underscored the importance of recognising toxic positivity as a critical issue that affects the emotional well-being of young adult workers. Future research is recommended to explore similar themes in different study contexts, incorporating multiple perspectives to gain deeper insight into the issue.

The Continuous Precarious Situation of the Refugees and Migrant Workers in Malaysia Post-COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic positioned the global population in a conundrum state and the most vulnerable were the refugees and migrant workers. It is a common narrative for governments and the people to treat them indifferently because of their illegal status thus creating a xenophobic environment against them. A similar situation occurred for these vulnerable groups in Malaysia during managing and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 resulting in the Malaysian government neglecting the fundamental human rights to protect the refugees and migrant workers from discrimination, abuse, and exploitation. By international standards, Malaysia is far from defending the rights of vulnerable groups, particularly the plight of refugees and migrant workers. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight and discuss the qualm conditions of these refugees and migrant workers during COVID-19 and the continuous precarious situation against them. Data was gathered from primary and secondary sources such as official statements, mainstream media and reports from local and international organisations. Findings show that the precarious situation remains the same for these vulnerable people, hence the Malaysian government should seriously work out comprehensive policies to alleviate the abysmal condition against them.

Intercultural communicative competence among Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia: a qualitative exploration.

Millions of Indonesian migrant workers have sought employment in Malaysia during the last three decades. Many of them are skilled and unskilled laborers, and their incorporation into the host society's labor market has the potential to improve their own quality of life while also contributing significantly to the country's economy. However, Indonesian migrant workers encounter numerous problems in their professional and personal lives. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the intercultural communicative competence (ICC) factors as one of the Indonesian migrant workers' strategies. This is qualitative exploratory research on the factors of ICC in the integration of Indonesian migrant workers into the Malaysian labor market. Focus groups were used to obtain data from 16 Indonesian migrant workers who had already successfully integrated into the Malaysian workforce as well as newcomers who were in the process of integrating into the local culture. In addition, interviews have been conducted with the 13 employers to complement the data from the migrant workers. The data was analyzed using rounds of deductive and inductive coding and analysis based on the five components of Byram's model. The findings suggest that practicing intercultural communication skills can help migrant employees overcome cultural difficulties in the Malaysian labor market. The Indonesian migrant workers and their employers also indicated that they have an advantage in cultural integration due to the cultural similarities. The paper discusses the implications of the findings in terms of ICC training offered to migrant workers themselves (culture and language) and to professionals who work with them, with the goal of facilitating and promoting Indonesian migrant workers' labor market integration.

Strategies of the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in Resolving Education Problems for Undocumented Children of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia

This article aims to highlight the strategies used by the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to address the educational challenges faced by the children of undocumented Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. The research focus on the concept of national interest also aims to provide further understanding of how diplomacy and foreign policy can be used to protect children's rights and improve their access to education. The research methodology used is a descriptive qualitative method, focusing on the concept of national interest to answer the research questions posed in this journal article. The research findings reveal that the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has implemented several strategies to address the educational challenges for children of undocumented Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. The findings may encourage cooperation between countries to exchange information and best practices in addressing similar education issues at the international level. In addition, the focus on the concept of national interest shows the potential to integrate education aspects in foreign policy plans to ensure the protection of national interests. This includes the establishment of guidance and assistance centers in the registration process to obtain the National Student Identification Number (NISN). The ethical implications of this research include attention to children's right to education, especially children in vulnerable situations. The results can also serve as a basis for further research, by evaluating the effectiveness of the strategies that have been implemented and identifying other areas that require further attention.

Building a Foundation for Health: A Review of Healthy Lifestyle Knowledge Among Indonesian Cleaning Workers in the Malaysian Cleaning Services Industry

Introduction: The global economy is affected by Indonesian migrant workers' destinations in Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Poor housing and cleanliness make it hard for Indonesian workers, especially cleaning service workers, to stay healthy. Employees in the cleaning service business may not understand how to manage their health or navigate the healthcare system due to health literacy issues. Indonesian workers in Malaysia are assessed for workplace health literacy and empowerment. Addressing these issues and improving health literacy can enhance public health, eliminate health inequities, and empower people to make health decisions. Methods: The cross-sectional accidental sampling study involves 23 Indonesian workers from a prominent Malaysian university. All Indonesian workers were given a full explanation of the 15-question healthy living questionnaire. Results: 47.9% of migrant workers had sufficient knowledge, 39.1% had poor knowledge, and 13% had good knowledge. Conclusion: Poor personal hygiene affects Indonesian workers in Malaysia, focusing on workplace health knowledge and empowerment. It stresses health literacy, especially for the poor. To improve public health, reduce health inequities, and empower people to make health decisions, these concerns and health literacy initiatives are crucial.

Policies Improving the Well-Being of Gig Workers in Malaysia

Very scarce research has assessed the extent of adverse effects on the well-being of gig workers, particularly in Malaysia. So, the study aims to examine the policies favoring the well-being of gig workers using qualitative methodology of secondary materials examination and semi-structured interviews with policymakers. One of the key findings is that the Malaysian government is very supportive in welcoming the new era of flexibility and freedom of work, such as gig workers. This is particularly relevant to the gig economy, which is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty and variability. The emergent issues significantly call for government and policymakers to design the right policies to enhance gig workers' welfare.

Diagnosing the Well-Being of Gig Workers in Malaysia: A Viable System Model Approach

This paper aims to assess the well-being of gig workers in Malaysia using the Viable System Model (VSM) approach. The qualitative methodology is employed through semi-structured online interviews with two gig workers and a focus group discussion with policymakers. The current gig system adheres to the five tenets of VSM, signifying the interconnection between policymakers. This represents the strength of VSM in emphasising the importance of flexibility and adaptability in complex systems. The emergent issues significantly call for government and policymakers to design the right policies to enhance the welfare of gig workers overall.

Debunking the Obstacles to Reporting Workplace Violence Among the Healthcare Workers in Melaka, Malaysia: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Workplace violence (WPV) among healthcare workers (HCWs) is highly preventable and remains an ongoing public health concern among workers in Malaysia. Methods: Basic qualitative study design was employed to explore the individual experiences of healthcare workers with history of violence at workplace that hinders them to report the incidents. Informants were conveniently screened and identified based on underreporting of previous WPV experience, of any type. In-depth interviews among consented eligible HCWs were conducted using a semi-structured validated interview protocol. Transcribed data were thematically analyzed using an inductive approach. Results: A total of 11 informants and 11 coding were generated, with three themes emerged from the inductive thematic analysis, namely the perceived norms, process barriers, and attitude/ beliefs towards reporting WPV, with process barrier being the most frequently shared experience by the informants. Conclusion: The process barriers demotivate the HCWs from reporting the incidents, with their attitudes and beliefs shaped by their perceived norms towards WPVs among HCWs. Improvement of the existing reporting process is urgently needed. Training of workers is not only necessary to enhance their related knowledge and skills, but also to reduce the false belief and perceived norms towards WPV among HCWs.

Do Boycotts Harm Retail Workers?

The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of boycotts on the mental health of retail workers in Malaysia. Specifically, the study examines the risk factors associated with mental health disorders among retail workers during boycotts. A convenience sampling technique was used to interview 350 retail workers in fast food restaurants in the Klang Valley. Participants completed a questionnaire based on the Beck Depression Inventory. The results of the study showed that the majority of scores fell between 17 and 20, indicating borderline clinical depression. Scores of 21-30 placed employees in the moderate depression category. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that fatigue or loss of energy, guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness were the main predictors of self-perceived work performance during the boycott among retail workers. This research provides new insights into the risk of psychological distress among retail workers during boycotts. These findings may suggest appropriate prevention and intervention strategies to reduce the burden of depression. The study provides new knowledge that may improve the understanding and management of mental health disorders among retail workers.

The determinants of talent retention in the information technology services sector in Malaysia

This research aims to investigate the factors influencing talent retention within Malaysia's IT services sector. Specifically, it seeks to determine the impact of reward programs, career development, and work-life balance on talent retention. Conducted in a descriptive, non-contrived setting, this study employs a convenience sampling method. Self-administered online questionnaires are utilized for quantitative data collection. The research employs a correlation method to examine the association between reward programs, career development, work-life balance, and talent retention. Questionnaires, adapted from prior research, are distributed via WhatsApp and email, targeting a minimum sample size of 384. Data analysis is conducted using SPSS, a software suite designed for social science research. The study reveals that two out of the three hypotheses establish a significant relationship between rewards programs, career development, work-life balance, and the retention of talented workers in Malaysia's IT services sector. These findings suggest that attention to rewards programs and career development significantly influences talent retention in the Malaysian IT industry. The study recommends further exploration of variables that might exert a more substantial impact on talent retention within the Malaysian IT services sector. This research contributes valuable insights into the critical determinants of talent retention in Malaysia's IT services sector. The identified relationships between rewards programs, career development, and work-life balance offer practical guidance for industry professionals, informing strategies to enhance talent retention practices.

Developing offshore fatigue assessment application to measure fatigue among offshore workers in Malaysia

AbstractFatigue is a significant concern in the offshore oil and gas industry, posing risks to both resources and lives. This study aims to assess fatigue levels among daily trippers on offshore platforms and compare them across different job roles. The Offshore Fatigue Assessment Application (OFAA) was developed to measure fatigue in Malaysian offshore workers, focusing on alert response and lapses. A total of 51 participants were involved, with 31 in Crew A and 20 in Crew B. Based on the results, Crew A exhibited fatigue, with only 3 out of 12 data collection points showing an average reaction time (RT) below 500 ms, mainly during post‐work periods. Crew B also experienced fatigue, with only 1 out of 12 data collection points showing an average RT below 500 ms, occurring during mid‐work. While Crew B displayed fatigue during pre‐work and mid‐work, they generally maintained alertness during their sessions. Overall, Crew A consistently faced lapses in alertness, while Crew B showed fatigue during pre‐work and mid‐work but remained alert during their sessions. These findings highlight varying fatigue levels among offshore personnel, emphasizing the need for targeted fatigue management strategies in this industry.

Analysis of Survival Strategies for Illegal Indonesian Workers in Malaysia

The increase in illegal Indonesian workers (TKI) every year is a polemic in itself; the opportunity to become an illegal TKI can be detrimental to the state and individual TKI because they will not get their rights and are vulnerable to problems with inappropriate labor administration. The Indonesian government must immediately resolve this problem to ensure that there are no more illegal Indonesian migrant workers coming to Malaysia. This research uses a qualitative method by collecting data through interviews, observation, and documentation from three sources on the survival of illegal migrant workers working in Malaysia. The analysis uses spatial and narrative analysis. This is a novelty in this research and direct observations in the field by the author. The research results show that the main factors for illegal migrant workers going to Malaysia are the availability of jobs, high wages, and the lure of families working there. The workers chose to be illegal because they did not have a valid visa, did not want to renew their advanced visa or a tourist visa, and switched to becoming workers in Malaysia. As for surviving as an illegal worker, the survival strategy for surviving as an illegal worker is to carry out economic, social, legal, and political survival strategies. This research is important to follow up on because many Indonesian citizens are still interested in working abroad illegally and not complying with established regulations, which can harm various parties.

The effect of teacher empowerment-based course program on teachers' knowledge of Pancasila character on the Indonesia-Malaysia literacy

The lack of teachers' ability to apply the Pancasila character can contribute to the fading of Pancasila culture abroad, especially for the families of Indonesian Immigrant Workers in Malaysia. This research aims to explore the understanding of the character of Pancasila among parents in the Indonesian-Malaysian literacy context. A quantitative research approach was used with a sample of 80 educators from the Kuala Lumpur Indonesian School and learning centers in Malaysia. The research instrument consists of a questionnaire with 15 items for the Teacher Empowerment Program variable and 14 items for Teacher Knowledge. Data analysis uses simple linear regression with validity, reliability, normality, heteroscedasticity, t test, and coefficient tests, which are processed using SPSS software. The research results found that the training program had a positive effect on teachers' knowledge about the character of Pancasila. The Teacher Empowerment Based Course Program has had a significant impact on teachers' understanding of the Indonesian-Malaysian Literacy Based Pancasila Character. After attending a course based on teacher empowerment, there was a significant increase in teachers' knowledge about the character of Pancasila based on Indonesian-Malaysian language literacy. This teacher empowerment-based course program provides educators with the opportunity to gain knowledge about Indonesian-Malaysian literacy. They can apply this knowledge through innovative and effective teaching methods. Future research could investigate further potential benefits beyond increasing teachers' knowledge after participating in this program.

COVID-19 and returnee migrant workers’ struggles in Southern Thailand

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on migrant workers all over the world, including in Malaysia. This study focuses on the undocumented Thai migrant workers in Malaysia. Due to their illegal status, as returnee migrants in Thailand, they could not seek assistance from the government. This study aims to explore the struggle of illegal Thai migrant workers after returning to their country of origin and responses from government and other organizations. The methodology used for this research is a multi-site case study, with the case study sites being southern border provinces: Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Songkla, and capital city Bangkok. Data were collected through intensive fieldwork and various secondary documents. This study revealed that Thailand has not developed any concrete policy to assist the returnee workers in the pandemic period. There is a lack of coordination among government agencies, and local support including from civil society organizations initiatives has been inadequate.

Unveiling the economic odyssey: exploring the well-being of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia

This study assesses the economic well-being of 220 Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia, utilizing a quantitative approach and an economic well-being index. Findings reveal insights into their monthly earnings, savings, remittances, and levels of satisfaction with various aspects, including consumption, expenditures, and leisure time. While there’s contentment with compatible salaries based on skills, concerns exist regarding job security, financial support during illness, and the risk of post-return poverty. These findings offer crucial insights for policymakers, migration activists, and practitioners, guiding future decisions and support measures for migrant workers.