Migrant Workers in Malaysia: Human Rights Issues in the Workplace

Nawiya Yotwilai

SAGE Open, 2025, vol. 15, issue 2, 21582440251337546

Abstract: The study is to depict how migrant workers experienced human rights issues through employment in Malaysia. The descriptive narration of study was used to interpret and analyze migrant workers’ experiences. Thirty-six participants were sampled, based on purposive snowball sampling method, by conducting the in-depth interviews using semi-structured questions based on hybrid mode including face-to-face in locations and using text messages via applications to access individual’s experiences. The study elaborates migrant workers’ rights in Penang, Selangor, and Johor. The findings crucially revealed that migrant worker’s rights could be violated through poor working conditions, the legal gaps, and their fate extremely relied on employers due to documentation regarding their own status. In default of human rights, the situations originated the worsening working conditions for migrant workers. The principal issues are inadequacy of law enforcement and accountability of working conditions. Thus, strengthening the respect for human rights compliance is necessary.

Keywords: human rights; working condition; workplace; migrant worker; Malaysia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:sagope:v:15:y:2025:i:2:p:21582440251337546

DOI: 10.1177/21582440251337546

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