Work-Life Experiences of Bangladeshi Female Migrant Workers in Malaysia

This chapter examines the socio-demographic status and experiences of Bangladeshi female migrant workers in Malaysia. Despite the evolving global migration landscape, the experiences of migrant women, particularly from South Asian countries, are often overlooked by researchers. This study focuses on the growing trend of labor migration of Bangladeshi women to Malaysia and aims to fill a research gap by examining the unique challenges faced by this population. The chapter examines the socio-demographic factors that influence the working lives of Bangladeshi female labor migrants in Malaysia. There are two objectives: firstly, to provide a comprehensive profile of their socio-demographic characteristics, and secondly, to analyze how these factors influence their work and life dynamics. Through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 20 Bangladeshi women migrant workers working in various low-paid occupations, the study contributes to exploring the gendered nature of migration experiences and provides insights for policymakers and organizations working to protect and empower migrant workers. Despite the small number of Bangladeshi women migrant workers in Malaysia, the study highlights the need for gender-sensitive migration policies to create a more just and equitable global labor migration landscape.