Economic and Non-Economic Paradox of Quality of Life of Bangladeshi Migrant Workers: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Migration studies are increasingly validating that non-economic factors like, subjective wellbeing or Quality of Life (QoL) carries substantial weight over the economic dimensions. Yet, there is a lack of research on economic and non-economic wellbeing or QoL of the migrant workers in Asia. This qualitative research investigated to find out the economic and non-economic factors effecting QoL of Bangladeshi construction workers in Malaysia. Thematic analysis was used to find out the effect of income, housing, and freedom on QoL. The scope of the study covers only the Bangladesh construction workers who have been in Malaysia for less than ten years. Outcome of this research suggest that paradox of economic activities pushing Bangladeshi construction workers towards noneconomic paradox like ignoring housing and legal freedom and pulling down the QoL.