Studies on low-skilled migrant workers in Malaysia in 2000-2018: a literature review

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 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 the low-skilled migrant workers 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 the qualitative rather than quantitative approaches to analyze low-skilled migrant worker issues. Social, behavioral, policy, legal and workers’ rights issues were more dominant as compared to economics and health related issues

LONELINESS, COPING STRATEGIES AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG STUDENTS OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN MALAYSIA DURING THE COVID-19 MCO

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic had prompted many governments to enforce lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading. In Malaysia, a series of Movement Control Orders (MCO) were introduced starting March 18, 2020. As a result, many people’s lives were affected, including university students. These affected students had to stay in their campus residential facilities, isolated from family, relatives and friends, which could lead to the feeling of loneliness. This study aims to explore the phenomenon among students stranded on campus during MCO periods. Approximately 243 students from several public universities were surveyed using Google form. Results from the 210 usable responses showed that most of these students experienced moderate loneliness and often used coping approaches like acceptance, positive interpretation, active coping, and active solitude. Friends seemed to be a more immediate source to seek for support in times of isolation. Correlation results suggested that social support availability is negatively associated with student loneliness experience, and positively related with student coping strategies. Specifically, the availability of support from friends and significant others may minimize loneliness experience. Keywords: Loneliness, Coping Strategies, Social Support, Malaysia, COVID-1

Constraints Affecting the Increase of Sago Production : A Case of Melanau Rural Youth’s Participation in Sago Industry in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Sago industry which comprises sago cultivation, processing and sago-based food entrepreneurship has its own youth participation challenges. Consequently, the study aimed at determining constraints factors affecting rural youth sago producers. The constraint factors, namely internal and external factors are developed from modelling reason action theory. Data were collected from 200 youth sago producers in Mukah Division via face-to-face interview using a close-ended questionnaire. The data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and binary logistic regression model. The descriptive statistic showed the pattern of youth participation in the sago industry. The result of exploratory factor analysis identified six constraints factors affecting youth sago producers; commodity price, new knowledge, physical infrastructure, income, assistance and training. The result of binary logistic regression showed that the low participation of part-time to fulltime participation of youth sago producers is significantly influenced by new knowledge, physical infrastructure and training constraint factors. The study suggests rural youth requires technological advancement in the sago industry. In addition, the findings may provide useful information to the relevant stakeholders to re-evaluate the assistance and support programs to increase the participation and productivity of the Melanau youth. Furthermore, encouragement be given to more non-Melanaus to participate in sago industry

Youth participation in the sago industry: a Malaysian case study

Studies have shown that today’s youth are shunning away from agricultural activities leading to workforce shortages to sustain production. The present study includes a survey of 200 youths involved in the sago industry in Malaysia’s four major districts of Sarawak to understand their general perceptions of the sago industry and employment patterns in both sago and non-sago. Results showed that a proportion of the youth respondents were employed either full-time or part-time, with more than half working full-time in the private sector. Of great concern, about 25 per cent of them are not employed full-time. Nevertheless, approximately 70 or 35 per cent of the youth respondents admitted that they are engaged in part-time sago-related activities. Generally, rural youths have favourable attitudes toward the sago industry. The level of education is an essential factor influencing youths’ full-time employment in the sago industry. Whereas for parttime employment in the industry, age was a significant determinant

Youth participation in the Sago industry: A Malaysian case study

Studies have shown that today’s youth are shunning away from agricultural activities leading to workforce shortages to sustain production. The present study includes a survey of 200 youths involved in the sago industry in Malaysia’s four major districts of Sarawak to understand their general perceptions of the sago industry and employment patterns in both sago and non-sago. Results showed that a proportion of the youth respondents were employed either full-time or part-time, with more than half working full-time in the private sector. Of great concern, about 25 per cent of them are not employed full-time. Nevertheless, approximately 70 or 35 per cent of the youth respondents admitted that they are engaged in part-time sago-related activities. Generally, rural youths have favourable attitudes toward the sago industry. The level of education is an essential factor influencing youths’ full-time employment in the sago industry. Whereas for part- time employment in the industry, age was a significant determinant

The Socio-Economic Impact From Employment Of Low-Skilled Foreign Workers And International Internship Programme In Malaysia

This study was commissioned by the Institute of Labour Market Information and Analysis to investigate the socio-economic impact from the employment of low skilled foreign workers and international internship programme in Malaysia.It commenced on 1st June 2019 until 14th February 2020. This report contains eight Chapters. Chapter 1 outlines the background, scope and objectives of the study. The main objectives of the study are:i. to identify and verify the socioeconomic impact due to employment of low skilled foreign workers and international interns from the perspective of health, education, crime, etc.; ii. to identify the economic impact due to employment of low skilled foreign workers and international interns from the perspective of wages, employment, job creation, productivity, automation etc.; iii. to identify the international student internship programme landscape in Malaysia; and iv. to propose recommendations and plan of action to the government to overcome the issues, challenges, limitation and weaknesses of existing foreign worker employment policies and the international internship programme from the study