https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7376-8633
Abstract
This study aims to delve into migrant workers’ life experiences, focusing on their decisions to leave their families for a long time while pursuing job opportunities abroad. Using a qualitative approach based on phenomenology, this study explores the motives that drive migrant workers from Indonesia to seek employment abroad. The findings revealed motivations such as getting a higher salary than working in Indonesia, improving family welfare, obtaining facilities to perform the Hajj, seeking experience living abroad, own home, getting money to pay debts, difficulty getting a job in the country, and running away from family problems. This study offers insights into the complex interactions between economic, social, and personal considerations that influence an individual’s decision to pursue employment abroad. This study contributes to our understanding of migrant workers’ experiences and the underlying factors that shape their pursuit of opportunities abroad. The contribution of this research provides an overview of the Indonesian government regarding the wants and needs of Indonesian migrant workers to obtain expected welfare.
Introduction
Being a migrant worker is one of the actions chosen by many Indonesian jobseekers. Despite having to leave their families and homelands behind, some Indonesian jobseekers choose to become migrant workers in other countries for certain purposes or reasons, such as to support themselves, gain new experiences, or earn a higher income than working in their own country. Being a migrant worker is an individual decision based on awareness and is driven by certain motives that are formed by various factors that may be related.
Previous studies have shown that economic factors drive people to become migrant workers (Iqbal & Gusman, Citation2015; Hajek, Citation2008). The results of quantitative studies show that people decide to work as migrant workers due to factors such as limited employment opportunities in the country, the desire to earn a higher income, marriage problems, limited educational problems that make it difficult to get a job, and family dependence (Dongoran et al., Citation2016; Suastrini et al., Citation2022). The large wages received by Indonesian migrant workers have also proven to be the cause of the longer period of work abroad, in addition to factors such as long distances to return home and difficulties in finding employment due to their low level of education (Auliya, Citation2022). In fact, many migrant workers repeatedly migrate to work in other countries; they are generally those who, in their first migration, worked in the informal sector, had junior high school education and below, had never attended entrepreneurship training, were young, and were not married (Nasida & Aloysius, Citation2021). This finding demonstrates the importance of providing entrepreneurial knowledge and skills at an early age (Harding et al., Citation2020). The same trend also occurs in other countries where the main factor causing people to decide to become migrant workers is economic factors, namely, promising income (Pholphirul, Citation2012; Urbański, Citation2022).
The complexity of the reasons underlying an individual’s motives for becoming a migrant worker may be lacking or difficult for others to understand. For others, an individual’s decision to become a migrant worker can be perceived as inappropriate and detrimental to the nation’s self-esteem, showing the workers’ selfishness to the detriment of their family or other negative views. Working in another country is not always fun for migrant workers. While working in other countries, migrant workers must be able to immediately adjust to the new social environment and perform assigned jobs that are often under pressure (Sulistyowati, Citation2019). Many cases have shown that migrant workers often face the harsh reality of being victims of exploitation, abuse, inadequate legal protection, and even tragic death in a foreign country. Various problems and pressures can cause migrant workers to experience mental health disorders, as shown by the results of a survey of Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong; 18% of migrant workers have poor mental health conditions (Iqbal, Citation2020). Therefore, a lack of understanding of migrant workers and sharing the motives that drive them to work in other countries can disrupt authentic relationships between migrant workers and others around them.
The failure to maintain authentic human relationships in migrant workers’ life experiences prompted this study to answer the following research question: Why do individuals want to become migrant workers? By delving into the experiences of Indonesian migrant workers, this research not only highlights the stories of individuals who often remain hidden, but also delves into systemic issues that demand the attention of stakeholders. This research aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the motives before individuals decide to become migrant workers in the hope that the results can contribute to reform efforts against actions that cause harm and suffering to Indonesian migrant workers.
Conceptual framework
Being a migrant worker is a social action that is based on an individual’s subjective meaning. The meaning made by individuals is not only oriented to the need for work in the present, but also to past experiences because they have been unemployed or worked in other countries, and in the future, because they want a better life. These motifs create meanings that are interrelated and inseparable. These relationships of meaning can act as a context of meaning in reality that leads individuals to perform an action and enter the world of action. Subjective meaning can create an objective social world.
From the perspective of social phenomenology, according to the theory of motivation (Schutz 1967), certain actions are carried out by individuals because of the presence of certain motives. Individual actions are always preceded by motives, namely, the in order to motives and the because motives (Lafontaine, Citation2020; Morujão, Citation2023). The goal motive is oriented towards the future, which can be expressed as intentions, plans, hopes, interests, and so on, while the motive refers to past experiences embedded in knowledge, and therefore, the individual needs to look at the experience before performing an action. (Alpert et al., Citation1972; Weigert, Citation1975).
Previous research has shown that immigrant workers work long hours, including overtime, dangerous development projects, and strenuous physical tasks, such as lifting weights, making them vulnerable to injury and death. Nonetheless, their passion for sending money back to their families endures these difficulties, while their sense of ‘commonality’ helps to form a strong collective identity amid societal views that often underestimate them (Chattoraj, Citation2022). Other research shows that migrant workers seek love, relationships, community, and belonging at home, not only as a physical place, but also as a source of emotional, social, and economic meaning. In the course of life, migrant workers try to find their own ‘home’, a place where they feel safe and socially accepted. Therefore, the decision to work abroad is often influenced by the urge to seek a more established identity and presence, which is not always available in one’s place of origin (Chakraborti, Citation2022).
The motives consisted of 1. Economic security involves working as a migrant worker to secure economic security for themselves and their families in their home country (Waridin, Citation2017) 2. Seeking experience: Migrant workers choose to gain new experiences (Giovannini et al., Citation2023; Zhuang & Lok, Citation2023) or improve their skills (Giovannini et al., Citation2023; Ke & Bian, Citation2023). Because motive is 1. Limited job opportunities: conditions in which limited job opportunities in the country of origin encourage individuals to become migrant workers because it is difficult to obtain a decent job there (Chen et al., Citation2022; Nulhaqim et al., Citation2023; Zhuang & Lok, Citation2023). 2. Family problems; Immediate financial needs, such as marital problems or family dependence, drive a person to seek a higher income abroad (Mas’udah, Citation2020; Shin & Kim, Citation2022)
Methodology
This research is qualitative, with an interpretive paradigm carried out using a social phenomenology approach. The main goal of the phenomenological approach is to understand personal experiences (Eberle, Citation2022; Groenewald, Citation2004; Hasbiansyah, Citation2008; Korf, Citation2013; Norlyk & Harder, Citation2010). Eight former migrant workers from Bandung were selected as subjects. The selection of subjects considered data from the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) and West Java Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service Center (BP3MI) as institutions that deal directly with Indonesian migrant workers and the Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Family Community (KKBMI). Data were collected through direct observation and in-depth interviews to establish, discuss, and clarify keywords for each question. The data of the study participants are presented in . This study obtained ethical approval from Padjadjaran University, Indonesia. All data obtained from the participants consented to writing for publication in this article. It is important to note that there was no information related to confidential or personally sensitive matters that could compromise the dignity of the participants.
Table 1. Research subjects source: Results of research data processing, 2023.
Following the phenomenological research procedure, the analysis steps are carried out in the following order: (1) ‘Bracketing’ as the process of identifying and holding preconceived beliefs and opinions that may exist about a phenomenon; (2) ‘Intuition’ as a process that occurs when researchers are open to the meaning associated with a phenomenon by those who have experienced it so as to produce a general understanding of the phenomenon; (3) ‘Analyzing’ as a process involving other processes that include coding, categorization and understanding the meaning of phenomena; and (4) ‘Describe’ at this stage, the researcher understands, understands, and defines the phenomenon to be researched or studied (Allen-Collinson & Evans, Citation2019; Finlay, Citation2014; Neubauer et al., Citation2019). The steps of the analysis in this study are illustrated in .
Figure 1. Steps in this phenomenological study.
Source: Processed from various sources: 2023.
Results and discussion
Based on the results of research in the field, various motives encourage participants to become migrant workers. These motives can be grouped into two categories according to the typology offered by Schutz (1985) (Barber, Citation2020; Embree, Citation2012; McKinney, Citation1969): motives and motives (See: ).
Figure 2. Motives for action to become a migrant worker.
Source: Processed by the author (2023).
In order to motive
Get big salaries
Many factors influence retired Indonesian migrant workers’ desire to return to work. Financial hardship has always been the reason Indonesians have been forced to work abroad as migrant workers. Nonetheless, many people choose to travel to Indonesia as migrant workers for various reasons. However, when referring to the interview results, the tendency was mainly to point to economic issues, which was the primary reason. Finding a decent salary alone incentivizes individuals to go abroad. The sizable income aspect, according to almost all survey participants, was the main motivator. Some retired migrant workers from Indonesia who participated in this study were still working. However, they decided to leave because of their substandard lifestyle and low salaries. The value of remittances sent has increased significantly as a result of experiments that facilitate communication between migrants and their networks outside the country of immigration. (which almost doubled compared to the baseline) (Batista & Narciso, Citation2018). However, greater income is the only factor contributing to relatively low location requirements in some countries. When comparing destinations, migrants should also consider other factors, such as distance from their place of origin, culture, risks, and costs associated with the migration process. (Spaan & van Naerssen, Citation2018)
P-06, a retired Indonesian migrant worker born in Kebumen, admitted to becoming an Indonesian migrant worker because she wanted to earn a large salary. The desire to work abroad was influenced by the presence of numerous individuals in her neighborhood who hailed from other regions and had become Indonesian migrant workers overseas. This environment prompted Participant P-06 to develop a stronger inclination towards seeking employment abroad rather than relocating to another city like Jakarta. P-06’s preference for overseas work stemmed from witnessing several of her neighbors returning home with substantial earnings and hearing accounts from others about lucrative salaries offered abroad. The following excerpt is from her interview.
I graduated from junior high school and left right away because most people in my village were immigrants. As soon as I graduated, I left and did not look for Indonesia. I went out and saw a neighbor who came back with a lot of money. If you are abroad, you get a big salary; if you are here, the salary is low. (Results of Interviews with P-06)
Other participants expressed a desire to seek higher salaries abroad. For instance, Participant P-05 opted to pursue employment as an Indonesian migrant worker after being enticed by the substantial wages promised by the broker, who facilitated his placement in neighboring Malaysia. P-05, a young man navigating through the prime years of identity exploration, was hailed from a family with numerous members. Despite his father’s retirement from a state-owned enterprise (SOE) and his mother’s retirement from the civil service, the family dynamics were less than harmonious, which led P-05 to delve into a period of youthful delinquency. The interview excerpt is as follows.
I am my father’s only child. I am the youngest child because my mother married three times. So, my father was my last husband. If there are two older brothers.
…felt shocked by the family situation back then even though I have accepted it now.
Money, because the lure is sweet. Because of temptation compared to working in Indonesia and Malaysia, income was higher in Malaysia. Yes, I was interested, even though I wasn’t. (Interviews with P-05)
Collectively, these interviews illuminate the multifaceted motivations underlying individuals’ decisions to become migrant workers. Influenced by the success stories of their peers and the promise of financial prosperity, the pursuit of higher wages has emerged as a central theme. These narratives also underscore the significant impact of external factors, whether community experiences or enticing offers from brokers, in shaping individuals’ choices to seek employment abroad. The findings of this study underscore the importance of acknowledging the nuanced influences that drive individuals to become migrant workers, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive policy considerations that address both economic prospects and the broader contexts informing these decisions. Through an exploration of the personal narratives of participants such as P-06, P-05, and others, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the intricate motivations that propel Indonesian migrant workers towards opportunities overseas.
Improve family well-being
The socioeconomic circumstances of the families of Indonesian migrant workers affect their willingness to work abroad. Families of Indonesian migrant workers generally have mediocre or poor living conditions and their incomes are insufficient to meet their basic needs. This has always been the reason that prompted their departure. Remittances are often issued when migrants undertake migration projects, including housing, children’s education, and debt repayments. As a result, the savings accumulated while working abroad can only be sustainable if there is positive reinsertion into economic activity. (Battistella, Citation2018)
Migrant workers from Indonesia are motivated to travel abroad because of their poor living conditions and weak economies. The desire to be happy often arises from a person in the slightest form. The family is a place to share during difficult and happy times. The poor lives of Indonesian migrant workers’ families, particularly those of some participants, prompted them to try ways to improve their lives. One way is to become a migrant worker abroad. P-06, one of the study participants, shared that her living conditions were inadequate. P-06 was the oldest of the three children. P-06 and her family lived in a small village in Kebumen Regency. P-06 ‘s parents worked as farmers in other people’s fields or gardens. Working as a farmer, his parents’ income was insufficient to meet the needs of his family. It is even difficult for P-06 and her family to eat; sometimes they do not eat all day because they need money to buy rice and side dishes. P-06, who was born to a poor farmer’s son, felt compelled to stand to help her family members. Regarding this situation, P-06, a participant who decided to become an Indonesian migrant worker at the age of 15, explained,
‘The economy can’t afford it, so I have to go abroad to improve the family’s economy…’ ‘Yes, I don’t eat enough, my family is a farmer, so I don’t have enough to eat. Sometimes, it is a day’s meal, and sometimes it is not. It is like fasting. David. I already like that. I have two younger siblings. Can you imagine? This is called working in people’s fields. How much is the result? Yes, that’s the situation’ (Results of Interviews with P-06)
Unlike P-06, P-03 stated that he left the country because of the condition of his extended family. Parent P-03 had eight children. P-03 was fifth of the eight children. His four older brothers were boys, and his younger sisters were girls. At that time, the P-03 brother wanted to sail, while P-03 parents did not have the strength to help the P-03 older brother who wanted to sail. When many people around him became Indonesian migrant workers, P-03 became interested. He worked in a garment factory in the Tangerang area. P-03, to help his family decide to go to Taiwan as Indonesian migrant workers. P-03 explains this situation as follows.
Life before leaving the country was difficult. I have been working since childhood. After graduating from elementary school, I worked in Tangerang. I joined my work environment. In addition, my parents were in a difficult situation. Parents of many children ….
Originally, when I went to Taiwan, I knew the condition of my parents. My brothers were all male. They all want to go abroad and work on ships, but do they need money and rights? When you are big enough to sail, you do not have to pay; I think when you have a family, you feed the children; if the girls feed people’s children, that’s Javanese here, so I give up going to Taiwan. Yes, I went to help my parents, brothers, and siblings. In my village, I am the first to become a migrant worker, especially the first generation. (Results of Interviews with P-03)
The insights gathered from these interviews offer a poignant overview of the challenging circumstances faced by migrant workers before embarking on their journeys. The narrative underscores the compelling reasons that drive many people to seek job opportunities abroad, often rooted in family responsibilities and the need to provide loved ones. The interviewees’ experiences echo the prevailing themes of sacrifice and resilience, with the decision to migrate strongly intertwined with cultural norms and family dynamics.
Getting hajj facilities
In general, migrant workers from Indonesia who travel to the Middle East for work have reasons other than financial gain. The goal is to complete the journey, which is the 5th pillar of religion. Long queues and the high cost of going to Hajj ultimately make Indonesian migrant workers choose to work in Saudi Arabia to make it more accessible as a shortcut and free from their employers. Employers from Saudi Arabia offer bonuses to Hajj to attract Indonesian migrant workers. Indonesia is one of the most prominent Islamic countries in the world. P-01, an Indonesian migrant worker from Sukabumi, chose Saudi Arabia because he wanted to worship holy land. Be it Hajj or Umrah.
Islamic parents raised the P-01. Even P-01 parents, before leaving, determine the destination country that P-01 will go to. His parents’ support in working in Saudi Arabia made P-01 more determined to leave. ‘Not to mention P-01 who already has the ability to speak Arabic. Although he was not fluent, P-01 understood some Arabic conversations. P-01 received Islam-based education at the levels of Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTS) and Madrasah Aliyah. Here’s an excerpt:
I was able to learn Arabic since I went to MTS (Madrasah Tsanawiyah); Madrasah Aliyah (MAN) learns Arabic, so I don’t need to learn the language. (Results of Interviews with P-01)
That’s how the employment contract explains that if you have been working for two years, you can get a bonus from our employer. From there, I became more interested in it. Already, I chose to go to Saudi Arabia. (Results of Interviews with P-01)
The P-01 case exemplifies this phenomenon. His religious upbringing, coupled with the allure of practicing worship on the holy land, significantly influenced his decisions. In addition, P-01’s familiarity with Arabic, gained through Islamic education, facilitated his integration into the Saudi work environment. The promise of the employer’s incentives, such as bonuses associated with the duration of work, further strengthened his resolve.
These findings underscore the complexity of migrant workers’ motivations and reveal the intersection of faith, cultural values, linguistic ability, and economic prospects. This highlights the multifaceted factors that shape migrant workers’ decisions, emphasizing that they are driven by a combination of personal, religious, and pragmatic considerations. Acknowledging these motivations is critical for developing policies and support systems that meet the holistic needs of Indonesian migrant workers in the Middle East. Ultimately, the convergence of economic opportunities and religious aspirations creates unique relationships that shape workers’ decisions and experiences, offering a deeper understanding of their choices and their impact on their lives and families.
Looking for life abroad experience
Another reason that emerged as an impetus to becoming an Indonesian migrant worker was put forward by the participants. He decided to work abroad to gain experience. In this case, the experience is intended as a desire to try and, at the same time, to prove the stories and other information they receive from Indonesian migrant workers who leave early. In addition, they are looking for a new job atmosphere abroad.
A participant from Indramayu, P-07, explained that he was very curious about the information conveyed by a friend living in Cirebon, who had been a migrant worker as a driver in Saudi Arabia. Obtaining information about driving in Saudi Arabia was important, and the job offer made Ka think about going there. At that time, to prove what his friend, who had previously worked as a migrant worker said, P-07 finally applied to work abroad. An excerpt from the interview is as follows:
There are people from Cirebon; At that time, I was boarding in Cirebon when I was a bus driver. There is Mr. RW there, and he and I are close. So he offered. He said, ‘If you want to be there’, I said I would talk to my family first. He was also accustomed to driving. It is delicious, and he says, Drive from Medina to Mecca. I want to know what it’s like to drive there. (Results of Interviews with P-07)
Originally, I wanted to change the living conditions of my family. I want to learn about my experience. I also want to move forward like everyone else; Although I am from my village, I have to come forward. (Results of Interview with P-01)
Want to have your own house
Home is a primary requirement for all human beings. Therefore, the house as a need for shelter is one of its main parts in addition to the need for clothing and food. This is especially true when there is a family. This is because of the desire to learn to be a householder, to show independence, and to avoid domestic conflicts because you still live with your in-law as well as a form of protection for your beloved family. The P-02 mother, an Indonesian migrant worker, decided to go abroad because she wanted a house for her family. Having an unemployed husband made P-02 willing to sacrifice and live away from her family. P-02’s parents at the time could not forbid her from going abroad because of her family. Financial conditions cannot help with the P-02 dream. The following is a quick interview:
Mothers become migrant workers because of economic factors. Mom used to think about how to own a house. Your status already includes a husband; although the husband should have thought about it, at that time, my mother was determined to become a migrant worker. (Results of Interviews with P-02)
The term mah, if the Sundanese say ‘teu ngajurungkeun teu ngulahkeun’ (do not command or forbid). Since you cannot help at that time, I hope that the household will want to have a house by then. Brothers and sisters no one forbids. (Results of Interviews with P-02)
Get money to pay debts
In Indonesia, debt is a major factor in the decision to work as a migrant. Debt can be personal or family related. One participant, P-03, who came from Pegagan Kidul Village, Cirebon Regency, said that he left as an Indonesian migrant worker because of debt. The debt was not because P-03 borrowed money for personal needs, but from P-03 parents. The P-03 mother said that debt was used to support her extended family. The P-03 family numbered ten people, including his parents; the P-03 brother consisted of five people and two younger siblings.
P-03 mentioned that his family did not oppose his decision to work abroad. His parents were supportive and pleased that their children aspired to become Indonesian migrant workers. Before his departure, his parents entrusted P-03 with a notebook containing records of debts amounting to tens of millions. This weighed heavily on P-03’s mind, as he embarked on his journey to Taiwan as an Indonesian migrant. Below is an excerpt from this narrative.
It’s not forbidden; My people were even given a notebook of my parents’ debts. My parents said that this was an inheritance for my brother, sister, and me. From there, I want to go abroad even more. (Results of Interviews with P-03)
The reasons stated by the participants above became a motive when they decided to become Indonesian migrant workers abroad. In the presentation, it was seen that not all participants interviewed mentioned only one reason; it could be that the decision to become a migrant worker was made by the participants for several reasons. Almost all participants had a variety of motifs before leaving.
Because motives
Difficulty finding a job within the country
The low number of jobs in the community makes it difficult for some people to enter existing jobs. It is challenging to compete, let alone work in the government or private agencies, even in the informal sector. These opportunities are also complicated, because there are no jobs based on educational qualifications.
Low levels of education and lack of skills make it difficult for people to obtain jobs. Many people end up being unemployed. However, for some people, difficulty finding a job does not discourage them. Like P-08 from Garut, she continued to try to find a way to pursue her dreams. However, the emergence of the urge to become an Indonesian migrant worker can be attributed to these factors. P-08, a migrant worker from Garut, explained the following conditions:
Before going to Japan, it was difficult for me to find jobs. I did not graduate from school before college. After graduating from STM, I went to college for two years; however, I quit because there was no money. In the end, I had to work, and finally, I applied to go to Japan. (Results of Interviews with P-08)
After graduating from high school, I was unemployed; It’s not that I don’t want to work. I have proposed here, there, and with friends, but I do not know; maybe, this is not my luck yet. Therefore, please do not bother me. Yes, approximately five years or so. Then, that is how I obtain job information. That guy offered me a job. He said that there were job openings in Malaysia. Do you want it or not? Yes, I said yes. I was lured by the big salary there, so I was even more excited. (Results of Interviews with P-05).
Escape from family problems
Household failure at a young age is one of the factors that interfere with a person’s condition. Coupled with having a baby or toddler, adds to the slump in one’s heart, not only from the woman’s side but also from the man’s side. Shame: the destruction of the household makes a person more depressed. Similarly, retired Indonesian migrant workers feel this way. Like P-04 participants, they experienced broken homes at a young age, so they were willing to entrust their children by entrusting their parents to become migrant workers abroad to avoid the shame that haunted them. The results of the interviews are as follows:
… I have a problem with my husband. I am divorced from my husband because of a problem. I went on to become a migrant worker. You could say that’s what made me a migrant worker. I was determined to leave because I was ashamed. My parents forbade me to keep going. (Results of Interviews with P-04)
My parents forbade me because I left my young child, and at that time, my parents tried to calm me because my household was separated from my husband. So parents feel more sorry for my child. (Results of Interviews with P-04)
The explanation of the reasons stated by the participant was the motive behind the decision to become an Indonesian migrant worker abroad. In the presentation, it can be seen that all the participants who were interviewed mentioned more than one reason; it could be that the decision to become a migrant worker was made by the participants on several grounds. Almost all participants had various motive variations before leaving.
In this case, these eight reasons are factors that drive the decision to become Indonesian migrant workers and are categorized by researchers as past motives (because motives) and future motives (in order to motives) or are often also said to be motives. This categorization is a systematic step in explaining the real life of successfully retired Indonesian migrant workers, as in Schutz’s opinion (Kuswarno, Citation2009) that before getting into the to motive stage, there must first be a because motives stage. From this point of view (Bygnes & Erdal, Citation2017), the motivation behind the concept of ‘work life’ goes beyond just factors such as job availability or decent salary; it also includes consideration of social rights and the relative ease of balancing work and personal or family life.
This idea of mobility arises from the aspiration to achieve a satisfactory level of job security and respectable income, forming the basis for building a secure life that involves emotional and economic commitment. Essentially, this perspective underlines that migrant incentives are closely linked not only to economic prosperity but also to the desire for a well-rounded and harmonious life, which includes diverse aspects that go beyond mere financial aspects. In essence, the framework emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to understanding migration drivers, covering both economic and non-economic aspects that influence individuals’ choices to pursue opportunities abroad. (Bruquetas-Callejo, Citation2020).
Conclusions
In general, the results of this study revealed the existence of various motives that encourage participants to become migrant workers, which play an important role in the decision-making process of each participant. The motives behind the participants’ actions to become migrant workers are: First, in order to motives, includes six motives, namely for the purpose: (1) to get a higher salary than working in Indonesia; (2) improve family welfare; (3) obtain facilities to perform Hajj; (4) seek experience living abroad; (5) own your own home; and (6) get money to pay debts. Second, motives include two: (1) difficulty in getting a job in the country because they have limited education and skills and (2) running away from family problems. This systematic categorization, as offered by Schutz (1985), can aid in a deeper understanding of migrant workers’ experiences and motives of action.
Based on these conclusions, this study provides recommendations, first to stakeholders, including policymakers, to better understand the situation and conditions faced by migrant workers so as not to interfere with authentic relationships with migrant workers. Second, for researchers, the results of this study recommend the use of Schutz’s typology in studies related to individual action motives on a wider scale to obtain the expected ability to generalize or with different subjects and contexts of situations and conditions to gain a more detailed and in-depth understanding.
One limitation of this study is its focus on elucidating the motives of Indonesian migrant workers through an exploration of their experiences. However, it does not delve into the outcomes or gains experienced by migrant workers after they relocate abroad. Consequently, this study’s understanding of migrant workers’ communication experiences is confined to those residing in other countries. Although this study offers preliminary insights, further research is warranted to comprehensively explore this topic. Additionally, the limitations of this study are linked to the inherent subjectivity in interpreting qualitative data, which may inadvertently influence researchers’ analyses of the motivations underlying individuals’ decisions to become migrant workers.
Authors’ contributions
Conceptualization: R.A., G.G., S. M., and H. H.; methodology, R.A. and G.G.; validation, R.A. and G.G.; analysis, R.A. and G.G.; investigation, R.A.; resources, R.A. G.G.; data curation, R.A. and G.G.; writing—original draft preparation, R.A. and G.G.; writing—review and editing; supervision, G.G., S. M., and H.H.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank to Faculty of Communication, the Padjadjaran University.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of other parties.
Data availability statement
Data available on request from the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Reddy Anggara
Reddy Anggara was born in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. He received his Ph.D. from the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Padjadjaran University, and completed his bachelor’s (2009) and Master’s (2012) degrees at the same university. He works as a lecturer in the Department of Communication Science at the Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang and has research interests in communication, marketing, development, and tourism.
Slamet Mulyana
Slamet Mulyana is an Associate Professor at the communication management study program, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Padjajaran, Indonesia. He received his Ph.D. from Universitas Padjajaran and his Master’s degree from Universitas Padjajaran. He was interested in migrant workers and organizational communication.
Gati Gayatri
Gati Gayatri is a Research Professor at the Centre for Research on Society and Culture, National Research and Innovation Agency. She received her M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Ph.D. from the University of Indonesia. She has been a researcher in the field of media and communication for more than 20 years (1984-2008). Besides working at the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kemkominfo), she also worked as a lecturer in communication science at a private university for more than ten years (1996 to present). Contributing to the development of communication science in Indonesia is an important goal of my professional activities. Specialties, Media and Communication Science.
Hanny Hafiar
Hanny Hafiar is an Associate Professor at the public relations study program, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Padjajaran, Indonesia. She has completed her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at Universitas Padjadjaran. She has research interests in communication, health communication, communication technology, media, and disabilities.
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