Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia: Damages in Family Structure System in Their Hometown

Abstract

This article intends to investigate how temporary migrant workers' families adapt once they depart for employment in Malaysia. Families of migrant workers in Air Joman Village, Asahan Regency, Indonesia, were subjected to a qualitative method involving case studies and interview data collection. It utilizes eight elements of Bowen's family system theory as a data analysis technique on various families' situations in migrant workers' villages of origin. The findings of this study revealed several instances that led to the dissolution of the families of Malaysian migrant workers. 1) divergence of self, including family estrangement, discordant husband-wife relationships, elopement, kid and parent land conflicts, and entangled family debts. 2) Triangulations similar to those of other ideal ladies, misuse of remittances by siblings and in-laws, affair with in-laws 3) Emotional systems of the nuclear family, such as domestic violence and infidelity 4) Family Projection Process including Divorce and Parental Death 5) emotional disconnection, such as child delinquency or the dissolution of the child-parent relationship 6) Multi-generational transmission method including the tradition of working in Malaysia and intragenerational mobility 7) sibling position including orphans and substitute roles played by siblings 8) societal regression, such as new wealthy individuals and neighbors' pouting. Facilitators should work directly with migrant families to provide social assistance and counseling on family dysfunction to prevent occurrences of conflict caused by this issue. The government can also play a role by creating policies to enhance motivation, outreach, and employment possibilities, emphasizing indigenous Malaysian knowledge for those who do not work in Malaysia.