Working abroad: Stressors and coping strategies of low-skilled migrant workers

Low-skilled migrant workers make up a significant portion of the workforce in many countries, yet their well-being remains underexplored in mainstream human resource literature, particularly in relation to stress and coping mechanisms. This study examines how low-skilled migrant workers navigate stress while working and living overseas, identifying key stressors and coping strategies. Focussing on Bangladeshi male migrant workers in Malaysia, a country shaped by migration, the study responds to calls for a more inclusive perspective in human resource management research. Drawing on 44 semi-structured interviews, our findings indicate that low-skilled migrants predominantly rely on support-seeking strategies, particularly from family, peers, and faith. This is followed by problem-solving and accommodation strategies. Additionally, religion emerges to be a key personal resource in their coping efforts. These insights offer implications for human resource management practices and government policies aimed at enhancing the well-being of foreign semi-skilled and unskilled workers.