Understanding Migrant Workers’ Intention to Re-Enter Malaysia for Employment: The Mediating Effect of Acculturation on the Relationship Between Work Conditions, Workplace Discrimination and the Intention to Re-Enter

The purpose of this study is to determine the mediating effect of acculturation on the relationship between workplace discrimination and work conditions and migrant workers' intention to re-enter Malaysia for employment. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed using a non-probability sampling approach that combined quota and convenience sampling. Data were collected through a multilingual online questionnaire using LimeSurvey from 432 migrant workers employed in the agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and service sectors in Selangor. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation, multiple regression, and PROCESS Model 4 with percentile bootstrapping. The results showed that favorable work conditions significantly increased migrant workers' intention to re-enter Malaysia for employment, whereas workplace discrimination significantly reduced their intention to return. Acculturation did not significantly predict migrant workers' intention to re-enter Malaysia after controlling for work conditions and workplace discrimination. The indirect effects of work conditions and workplace discrimination through acculturation were also not statistically significant. Therefore, acculturation did not mediate either relationship, suggesting that workplace experiences were more influential than cultural adaptation in explaining migrant workers' future employment intentions. The study contributes to migrant worker retention research and recommends that employers and policymakers prioritize decent work conditions, fair treatment, and effective anti-discrimination practices to strengthen migrant workers' willingness to return to Malaysia for employment.