MIGRANT WORKERS AT MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION MARKET: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THEIR FACING DIFFICULTIES

Abstract

Migrant workers play a significant role to the economy and social development of Malaysia. Most of these employees are working at the construction industry which is known one of the highest hazardous working zones in the globe in terms of personal safety and health. The construction activities comprise various building performances, such as concreting, plastering, paving, bricklaying, painting and other related works. The local people are not much interested to work at this sector. Consequently, Malaysia requires hiring more foreign workers in order to continue the growing demands of building schemes. However, the working situations for those migrant workforces are often challenging but these do not hinder them from working. The aim of this study is to identify and examine some difficulties which are facing by migrant workers in Malaysia. The qualitative method has been used in gathering and analysing of data of this research. This research has found that migrant workers do not achieve some basic legal and humanitarian rights at construction sector in Malaysia. It is submitted that a proper step should be taken to minimise the identified challenges to protect the rights of migrant workers and to influence them to continue working at construction industries in Malaysia.