Workers In Malaysia Research Articles

Financial Impact and Causes of Chronic Musculoskeletal Disease Cases in Malaysia Based on Social Security Organization of Malaysia Claims Record

This paper analyzed total direct cost that is paid by the Social Security Organization of Malaysia (SOCSO) to the Malaysian workers due to musculoskeletal disease. The objectives of this study are 1) to determine the total direct costs incurred as a result of cases of chronic musculoskeletal injuries that was approved by SOCSO from 2009 to 2014 and 2) to examine the age category imposed for the total average cost of the highest MSDs claims for the four categories setting. The data provided by SOCSO on occupational diseases and adopt the top-down approach which includes of 416 claims reported between 2009 and 2014. The categories recorded are the highest total direct cost for types of industries, types of injury, causes of accident and type of body parts. The age claimant is then identified from total average cost earned from the highest total direct cost of the four categories. Manufacturing industry, strenuous movement, sprain and strain and back are recorded as highest total direct cost with the cost of RM 5,181,282.34, RM 7,088,839.51, RM 8,753,975.13, and RM 5,526,590.69, respectively. The age group of 35 – 44 years is recorded as the highest total average cost of these four parameters. This study will provide the basis for future studies and intervention on MSD related injuries in working environment in Malaysia.

The Effect of SFBGT on the Depression Level Among Indonesian Women Migrant Workers in Malaysia

So many surveys have demonstrated that there are high degrees of morbidity due to mental turmoil among immigrants, mainly depression and apprehension. Few of these studies unveil that migrant bond mentally depressed for the reason that they are tensed with jobs that was not at par with their educational status. From this context, the likelihood of those individuals with a higher education qualifications to end up doing deadly jobs are high, hence lower their self-respect. Those Women who involved in reformation and increasing role in international labor migration presently amount to 49.6 percent of all labor migrants worldwide. At this time, Malaysia has 2.9 million acknowledged and about 3 million unacknowledged workers with the majority of them from Indonesia 50.9%. On Asia continent, the largest class of female employment is domestic workers. Nevertheless, the domestic sector is regularly not protected by labor and industrial relations laws in the host countries, which makes this set of migrants labor particularly vulnerable to mistreatment hence the depression. Studies have shown that stressful experiences increase one’s susceptibility to diseases and mental health trouble. This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of the interventions using Solution-focused brief group therapy (SFBGT). BDI, the Beck depression inventory tool is employed to the quasi pre-test and post-test methodology to evaluate the depression level of Indonesian women migrant workers in Penang state of Malaysia. The novel significance is that this study will benefit the Indonesian government in policy preparation that can validate her citizens who are principally searching for greener pasture offshore.

Malaysian Child Social Workers’ Perceptions of Emotions in Decision-making Processes


 
 
 The present research aimed to investigate the perceptions of the Malaysian Child Social Workers on emotions in their professional practice i.e. decision-making processes. Traditionally, decision-making is viewed as a rational process where reason indicates the best way to achieve a goal. However, many philosophers, neuroscientists and psychologists emphasise that the role of emotions in decision making is not exempted. The overall research strategy was ethnographic. The researchers used a mixture of methods including individual interviews, participant observation, and a questionnaire. The research was conducted in three locations in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Petaling and Kota Kinabalu. Participants consisted of child protectors and rehabilitation officers from the Malaysia Welfare Department and medical social workers in hospitals. This paper presents an analysis of individual interviews in the three locations. A total of twenty-five interviews were conducted (twelve male, thirteen female; age range 29-51). Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The research findings revealed that the Malaysian child social workers tended to avoid emotions in their professional practice (i.e. decision- making processes), which might be due to the procedural practice. Based on the participants’ perceptions with regard to the use of emotions in decision-making proceses, the Malaysian child social workers’ understanding, knowledge and terms pertaining to emotions and their contributions in decision making were seemingly confined to the negative effects of emotions. Emotions, however, were not only characterised as disruptive but also viewed as having their ‘rationality’.
 
 

TENAGA KERJA INDONESIA (TKI) DAN HUBUNGAN INDONESIA-MALAYSIA ERA JOKOWI

Following the leadership succession in the post Presidential Election in 2014 from the 6th Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to the 7th Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), the Indonesian migrant workers became one of the priorities of the new government. The reason is simple, there are still many Indonesian workers especially in Malaysia who are involved in various problems and cases. The issue of protection of Indonesian citizens abroad became the primary agenda of Jokowi’s administration including protection on migrant workers. To be sure, the various issues of migrant workers eventually impact on the relationship between the two brotherhod countries, Indonesia and Malaysia. On the other hand, both countries were obviously gained so many advantages from the influx of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. For Indonesian government for instance, the migrant workers is one of the largest revenue contributors from their remittance. As for Malaysia, the presence of Indonesian migrant workers were highly contributed to the national economy amid of the local people are lack of interested to such kind of dirty jobs. Therefore, this article would like to invite readers into a deep discussion comprehensively on the issues of migrant workers and their implications on the Indonesia-Malaysia relations especially in the first half of Jokowi’s tenure of presidency.

Salient Beliefs that Influence the Malaysian Engineers Intention to Migrate Abroad

Malaysia is one of the countries which face serious outflow of high skilled workers. In particular, high levels of brain drain among the engineers in the country has created a critical shortage of highly skilled workers in Malaysia. Migration studies in Malaysia in the past mostly focused on economic and socio-political aspects but migration among engineers received very little attention. The main purpose of this study is to analyse the intention of Malaysian engineers to migrate abroad from a behavioural perspective. The study also intended to identify the engineers salient beliefs about migration that could explain their intentions. The knowledge regarding the beliefs can be useful for policy makers in order to develop behavioural intervention policies to manipulate (i.e. lower) the engineers intention to move abroad. The engineers intention was analysed using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Among the three direct predictors in TPB model, the engineers attitude and their subjective norms were significant in explaining the engineers intentions to move abroad. In turn, a number of salient behavioural and normative beliefs were found to be significant in explaining the engineers attitude and subjective norms.

Kebijakan Migrasi Lintas Negara Pemerintah Indonesia (Studi Kasus Pengiriman Tenaga Kerja Indonesia ke Malaysia

Transnational migration has many aspects of a human being through it, ranging from economic, social, cultural and political. The Indonesian government policy to deliver Labor in his country to Foreign Affairs started in the era of the 70s where Indonesia through a program sending teachers to neighboring Malaysia. This paper will describe the policies of the government of Indonesia which already exist or are not there, about the delivery policy of Labour Indonesia to Malaysia in the era of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration. With the establishment BPNP2TKI, then the policy of sending migrant workers abroad should have been many improvements. In it will put forward various criticisms and suggestions in handling migrant workers in Malaysia

Migrant Labor and State Power

Drawing on Foucault’s concepts of biopolitical subject formation and governmentality, this article seeks to understand transnational state power and how Vietnamese migrant workers negotiate within a transnational framework both while working in Malaysia and upon their return to Vietnam. By conducting multi-sited interviews in Vietnam and Malaysia between 2008 and 2015, we contribute to the transnational labor migration literature by focusing on Vietnamese factory and construction workers in Malaysia and their resistance to transnational state power. We argue that these two emerging economies, as part of the neoliberal world, use their systems, media, and technologies to produce and manage citizens (in Vietnam) and non-citizen subjects (migrants in Malaysia) who comply with labor export policy and foreign worker policy, respectively. These two states ensure both government and individual accumulation to sustain their power. Meanwhile, Vietnamese migrant subjects negotiate their roles, resist when necessary, and at times, even benefit from overseas labor migration.

Prevalence and factors contributing to musculoskeletal disorder among garage worker in Malaysia

Maintenance involves task that is performed occasionally with exceptional conditions. This paper focused on Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSDs) among garage worker. The objective is to analyze the prevalence of Musculoskeletal symptoms among garage workers as well as the risk factors that contributed to the symptoms. Method used in this study is standard Nordic questionnaire (SNQ) Malay version for 150 garage workers who performed maintenance work on vehicle. The result of biomechanical evaluation indicated that three risk namely psychological, ergonomic and demographic play important role in contributing to MSDs. Shoulder, neck, wrist/hand, feet, low back and waist were among the body parts that recorded high percentage of developing bellow, pain and discomfort. Data gaps include lack of information regarding the prevalence of MSDs in garage worker Keywords: vehicle maintenance; musculoskeletal disorder; ache, pain, discomfort; prevalence

Intercultural adaptation in the work area among professional Indonesian workers in Malaysia

<p class="Abstract">As a consequence, in the era of globalization, the migration of workers and economic flows has grown rapidly over the last decade and has become a phenomenon. Many migrant workers from abroad are employed in certain countries which lack the resources of labor. One of the countries whose economic development depends on migrant workers in Malaysia. Malaysia's dependence on migrant workers is quite high, especially for unskilled and semi-skilled works. However, in addition to skilled/ semi-skilled workers, there are many skilled workers working in Malaysia. They usually work in areas which require expertise or special skills, one of them is in the IT (Information Technology) sector. The purpose of this paper is to study the process of inter-cultural adaptation that occurs in Indonesian professional workers currently working in Malaysia, especially the adaptation process that occurs in their multicultural workplace. This study uses a qualitative methodology of 10 Indonesian professional workers in Malaysia, in particular, working on Nokia Siemens Networks Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia. By conducting research with the qualitative method, the result is the cultural diversity in Malaysia and in the work area of respondents, does not seem to be a big problem for them.<o:p></o:p></p>

Effect of Break Time on the Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorder Development among Intensive Computer Users in Malaysia

Upper Extremity musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) has become a common problem among office workers in Malaysia. Studies have shown that an appropriate work-rest schedule can reduce fatigue and MSDs among office workers. In Malaysia, there has been an increase in the occurrence of MSDs, especially in work that require intensive computer use. Operators who used computers continuously for more than 4 hours a day have shown to develop CTDs. Studies on the effect of break time on the performance of office workers in Malaysia are still lacking. As such this study was aimed to evaluate effect of work rest schedule on the discomfort, performance and muscular load levels of computer users in Malaysia. The effect of break time starting with no break, one minute and 30 seconds break interval were carried out on the 15 subjects. EMG was measured for each task given. Performance which was calculated by multiplying speed and accuracy (WPM) showed 30 seconds break was 13.5% higher than 1 minute break and 20.14% higher than schedule with no break. EMG analyses showed 30 seconds have lowest mean AEMG which was 0.035 for flexor carpi ulnaris and 0.0331 for radialis muscles. It also recorded least discomfort scale for upper extremity muscles compared to the other two schedules. This study showed that more frequent microbreaks can improve performance of office workers and reduce MSD problem from occurring.

Family Characteristics and Social Functioning Associated with Duration and Frequency of Child Sexual Assault

This study reports the sexual abuse of children in Sabah, Malaysia. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between family characteristics and social functioning associated with the duration and frequency of sexual assault on the child survivors. Eighty children who reported sexual assault through a One Stop Crisis Centre in an urban hospital were studied. The main research instrument used was adapted from the Inner Interaction Scale of Social Functioning (IISSF). The results of the study show that there are significant differences in the social functioning of victims according to the frequency of sexual assault, but not according to the duration of assault. That is the social functioning symptoms of achievement and expectation was significantly different according to the frequency of sexual assault. The relationship of the variable’s family characteristics, frequency and duration of sexual assault as well as the social functioning of the victims is important for social workers both to understand and to take note of in intervention work with child sexual assault survivors who report their abuse. The implications of these findings were also discussed in the context of the provision of crisis intervention support for child victims of sexual assault by social workers in Malaysia.

Overcoming Workplace Challenges: A Qualitative Study of Resilience Factors of Indonesian Women Factory Workers in Malaysia

Purpose: Aim to explore the experiences of Indonesian factory workers who perceived themselves as resilient individuals. This paper report the strategies used by Indonesian women factory workers to develop and maintain their resilience, despite encountering serious workplace challenges. Background Despite the potentially adverse effects of their quality of life such as psychological, social aspect thrive through exercising self-efficacy and coping skills. Resilience refers to the ability to cope well with challenges and change. Methodology: The method of this study is collective case study investigation of personal resilience from 20 Indonesian women factory workers. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically. Results: Indonesian women factory workers attributed their ability to succeed in the workplace to four major influences: Spiritual aspect, Social support, personal competence, Job environment Implication: Conclusively, Indonesian women factory workers' resilience ability insights contributed to a deeper understanding of personal resilience and highlight future initiatives to enhance the ability, skill and performance of factory workers in their workplace.

Linkages Between Income Resources, The Cost Of Living And The Remittance: Case Of Indonesian Migrant Workers In Sabah Malaysia

In international migration, income resources, cost of living and dynamics of remittance have attained importance, however, in Indonesian migrant workers in Sabah (Malaysia) have not been studied thoroughly in this regard. This article would like to investigate Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia’s remitting behavior or decisions in light of their pre and post sources of income, cost of living, and how employer contribute in their cost of living. This study is based on the results of the ILMS survey conducted in 2010 and also in-depth informal interviews with legal and illegal workers. Under the survey, 896 respondents were interviewed. The article finds that migrants’ living expenses at the destination included daily consumption and accommodation usually formed the biggest portion of monthly expenditure, which affected the migrants’ remitting behavior. This research extended Russell’s model of remittances by including expenses at the destination that can influence the decision to remit, particularly among migrants accompanied by their family. It has been demonstrated that the costs of living expenses were higher among migrants with family in Sabah than among single migrants. This explains the tendency to send less frequently and a lower volume of remittances among the former. Hence, the trend of being accompanied by the family to Sabah has implications for migrants’ remitting behavior. The article concludes that migrant workers with families were less likely to send remittance to their remaining family members in Indonesia. They had to fulfill family needs in the destination country. It shows that migrants with families opt to spend and support the local economy, and do not remit to their home countries.   Keywords: migration, remittance, Russell, Malaysia, Indonesia

Partisipasi Politik Buruh Migran Indonesia di Malaysia pada Pemilu 2009 dan 2014

This article tried to analyze the political participation of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia in the election of 2009 and 2014. The implementation of political rights of Indonesian migrant workers still becomea homework for Indonesian government. The freedom and democratization should be the main point for political activities in Indonesia. Besides, the contribution of migrant workers has to be considered, especially those who work in Malaysia. The implementation of political participation needs a good political education that has to be owned by migrant workers. By using political participation theory, state theory in policy and protection theory, also the concept of political education, this research done in qualitative, deep interview as the collecting data method. After being depth analyzed, this research found that the increasing of political participation of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia on the election 2014 compared with 2009, is much more because figure factor. The figure is considered as a great and humble political actor, and believed can accommodate the interest of migrant workers. The political education of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia is really needed, in term of increasing the number of political participation of migrant. Not only migrant workers, political education also needed by election organizers.

Motivation, time management and work performance among female workers in Malaysia

Motivation, time management and work performance among female workers in Malaysia

Risky work: Accidents among Nepalese migrant workers in Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Background: Nepal is a growing supplier of migrant labour for factories in Malaysia and building sites in the Middle East. This study assessed the extent of workplace accidents among Nepalese migrant workers in Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.Methododology: A questionnaire survey was conducted at Nepal’s main international airport with men who returned from working in Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was completed by 403 migrant workers from these three countries. Where possible the questionnaire was self-administered and interview-administered for those migrant workers with poor literacy skills. A logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with accidents at work and health risks perceived by migrant workers themselves.Results: One in six (17%) experienced accidents at work in their host country. This proportion is lower than that reported in previous studies of Nepali migrant workers. Age, country of work, doctor registration and perceived standard of work environment and accommodation are significantly associated with accidents at work.Conclusion: To help improve Nepalese men’s health and well-being whilst working abroad, host countries and the Government of Nepal should ensure that migrants hold health insurance. Mandatory pre-departure and arrival health and safety training is also recommended as a way to reduce risks to the health of migrant workers.

Enabling Youth in Decision Making Through Competent Youth Work

The first primary goals of the Malaysian Youth Policy 2015 is that the youth should be more responsible citizens in initiatives at national, regional, and international levels. This suggests that the youth should therefore be involved in decision making at all levels. And this is where one of the positive assets of Malaysian youth that have been identified is social competency in decision-making. Since those involved in youth work play a role is facilitating the development of the youth, they then have an important role in facilitating the development of this capacity for decision making of the youth. Those in youth work are professionals who work with young people in a range of settings (Commonwealth Secretariat 2012). They can be found in youth clubs, street-based settings, social/welfare services, sports/leisure centres, schools, museums, arts facilities, government agencies, children’s homes, hospitals, among others. Their job roles are diverse from being counselors addressing youth problems to youth development building youth assets in positive youth development, researchers, youth education, and policy makers. All these diverse roles require those in youth work to be equipped with various skill sets guided by theory, best practice, youth principles and values and communication skills. Ultimately those in youth work are in the business of developing youth through which the youth are guided and facilitated to express themselves and become future leaders with decision-making capacities through empowerment. A study was recently conducted to identify the status of youth work practice and the core competencies of Malaysian youth workers for their professionalization. Professionalisation of youth workers is now one of the priorities of the new Malaysian Youth Policy 2015. The study found that Malaysian youth workers have yet to be considered as ‘professionals’ and hence lack the relevant competencies to be professionals. Among the recommendations are competency training for these youth workers, establish professional standards, ethics and practice, and the formation of a youth worker association that will certify and register these professionals in youth work.

Migrant Workers in Malaysia and the Role of the International Labour Organization’s Conventions

Throughout the history migration of people to other countries in search of employment has occurred and it is by no means a new phenomenon. However, the recent movement of labour on temporary basis, first to the Middle East and later within Asia, has left migrant workers the most vulnerable as they are the least protected. The situation of workers employed abroad was addressed soon after the establishment of the International Labour Organization in 1919. As such, the objective of this paper is to focus on the issue of migrants workers while special reference is given to Malaysia. The paper strives to identify the reasons for migration and discusses various issues related to migrant workers in the light of International Labour Organization’s conventions such as the Migration for Employment Convention (Revised) of 1949 and the Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention of 1975. Special attention is given to workers’ problems such as difficulties in accessing to justice, seizure of migrant workers’ passports by employers and, administrative and contractual restrictions on their right to freedom of association. The methodology adopted in this paper is qualitative and exploratory using primary and secondary data. The paper concludes with some suggestions.

Mental health social work in Malaysia: A study exploring its importance

This article describes the importance of mental health/clinical social workers in Malaysia. Convenience sampling was utilised and an in-depth, semi-structured interview methodology was employed. Four participants – two social workers, a psychiatrist and a community nurse – were involved. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants reported that mental health social workers are important in providing psychoeducation and conducting assessments. Specialised training in the field of mental health would benefit social workers and their health care counterparts.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT: LEGAL PROTECTION AGAINTS WORKERS IN MALAYSIA

Sexual harassment is a criminality that the government of Malaysia should give protection to the victims. Malaysia Criminal Act, Employment Act 1955, and Industrial Relations Act 1967 and Regulation or Act 117 were enforced to do. The protection includes any victim living in Malaysia without discrimination citizens or non-citizens, including labour migrants whether documented or undocumented. Sometimes employer violated their worker’s rights because he believes that workers tend not to reveal their irregular and illegal status. Protection via due process and fundamental human rights is embodied in the Malaysia Federal Constitution and applicable to them regardless of their status. This writing is proposed to give discussion on how the Malaysian Acts protect sexual harassment against the workplace workers. Data were obtained through research literature, with the writer trying to discover and collect material from documents, books, laws and regulations that apply specifically to the criminal law in relation to the workplace.