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Economic and Social Well-Being of Asian Labour Migrants: A Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Md. Mohsin Reza

    (University of Malaya
    Jagannath University)

  • Thirunaukarasu Subramaniam

    (University of Malaya)

  • M. Rezaul Islam

    (University of Dhaka)

Abstract

In this research article, we discussed the economic and social well-being of the Asian labour migrants in Asia. We are arguing that this issue is rarely addressed in the literature. The major characteristics of the migrant workers in Asian countries are seriously exploited, marginalized, and infrequently looked from human rights perspective. A Qualitative Interpretative Meta-Synthesis was conducted to analyze the contextual socio-economic factors that characterized intra-Asian migrant workers’ economic and social well-being. It is perceived that in most of the recruiting countries, there are lacks of government commitments to the international protocols, conventions and laws that they ratified towards safeguarding migrant workers’ economic and social well-being. The review results showed that despite some opportunities, the migrant workers had lack of job security, poor salary, long working hours, low access to the public services, poor health, poor living and working conditions, lack of legal rights, and physical and mental threats towards their economic and social well-being. The finding would be important guideline to the governments, policy makers, legal rights practitioners, and human rights organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Md. Mohsin Reza & Thirunaukarasu Subramaniam & M. Rezaul Islam, 2019. "Economic and Social Well-Being of Asian Labour Migrants: A Literature Review," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 141(3), pages 1245-1264, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:141:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-018-1876-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-018-1876-5
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    2. Michael C. Ewers & Abdoulaye Diop & Kien Trung Le & Lina Bader, 2020. "Migrant Worker Well-Being and Its Determinants: The Case of Qatar," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 152(1), pages 137-163, November.
    3. MD. Mohsin Reza & Thirunaukarasu Subramaniam & M. Rezaul Islam, 2022. "Data collection for a doctoral study among natives living abroad: revisiting the challenges and strategies undertaken," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2783-2802, August.
    4. Margubur Rahaman & Avijit Roy & Pradip Chouhan & Kailash Chandra Das & Md Juel Rana, 2021. "Risk of COVID-19 Transmission and Livelihood Challenges of Stranded Migrant Labourers during Lockdown in India," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 64(3), pages 787-802, September.
    5. Francisco Díaz Bretones & Aditya Jain & Stavroula Leka & Pedro A. García-López, 2020. "Psychosocial Working Conditions and Well-Being of Migrant Workers in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-15, April.
    6. Yuni Asri & Kun-Yang Chuang, 2023. "Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Indonesian Migrant Workers in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-12, February.
    7. Venkatesh Murthy & Diptanshu Gaur & Korak Bhaduri, 2022. "Parents, Pupils, Pedagogues, and Policies: A Rectangle of School Education for Immigrant’s Children," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 35(5), pages 607-634, October.

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