Global Journal of Economic and Finance Research

This study explores the role of cultural introduction in rekindling national pride among Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. With over 2.5 million Indonesian workers in Malaysia, many face challenges such as social isolation, cultural disconnection, and emotional distress. This research investigates how participation in Indonesian cultural activities, including arts, language, and culinary events, can enhance their emotional ties to their homeland and improve their psychological well-being. Through qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and participatory observation, the study highlights the significant impact of cultural programs in fostering a sense of belonging and pride among migrant workers. The findings suggest that cultural engagement not only reconnects workers with their Indonesian identity but also mitigates feelings of alienation. However, the study identifies several challenges, including time constraints and social isolation, that hinder the full potential of these programs. The research concludes by emphasizing the need for greater support from the Indonesian government, migrant worker organizations, and other stakeholders to overcome these obstacles and ensure the sustainability and accessibility of cultural initiatives for migrant workers.

Migrant Workers, Cultural Introduction, Emotional Connection, Identity, Social Isolation

1. Agyeiwaah, E., Dayour, F., & Adam, I. (2025). Workplace inclusion struggles and consequences on migrant workers—a multi-group invariance analysis. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1–23. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2025.2491695
2. Bernardo, A. B. I., Daganzo, M. A., & Burgos, J. F. C. (2022). Heritage culture detachment predicts hope and well-being of Filipino migrant workers: A study of low- and semi-skilled Filipino workers in Macau. Psychol Stud (Mysore), 67(3), 372–384. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-022-00661-y
3. Cerisola, S., & Panzera, E. (2022). Cultural participation in cultural and creative cities: Positive regional outcomes and potential congestion concerns. Papers in Regional Science, 101(6), 1245–1262. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/pirs.12709
4. Dosumxodjaev, F. A. (2021). The cultural heritage of developing a sense of patriotism. International Journal of Innovations in Engineering Research and Technology, 8(1), 33–35.
5. Enh, A. M., Wahab, A., Azlan, A. A., Talib, K. A., Sakti, A. M. T., & Sultan, F. M. M. (2024). Life experiences and cultural adaptation among migrant workers in Malaysia. Comparative Migration Studies, 12, 1. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-023-00360-1
6. Ernstberger, M. del C., & Adaawen, S. (2023). A transnational family story: A narrative inquiry on the emotional and intergenerational notions of ‘home.’ Emotion, Space and Society, 48, 100967. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emospa.2023.100967
7. Fahzaria, N. A., Suwarsi, S., Fadhila, S. A., & Pebriyanto, W. (2024). Management of cross-cultural communication barriers for Indonesian migrant workers in South Korea. Komunikator, 16(2), 81–94. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18196/jkm.21112
8. Gong, R., Wu, W., & Zhang, L. (2025). Regional disparity, cultural difference and family migration of rural migrant workers. Journal of Asian Economics, 100, 102030. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asieco.2025.102030
9. Hack-Polay, D., & Mahmoud, A. B. (2020). Homesickness in developing world expatriates and coping strategies. German Journal of Human Resource Management, 35(3), 285–308. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/2397002220952735
10. Hassanli, N., Walters, T., & Friedmann, R. (2019). Can cultural festivals function as counterspaces for migrants and refugees? The case of the New Beginnings Festival in Sydney. Leisure Studies, 39(4), 1–16. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2019.1666296
11. Heyeres, M., Perera, N., Udah, H., Attakey, A., Whiteside, M., & Tsey, K. (2021). Interventions Targeting the Wellbeing of Migrant Youths: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Sage Open, 11(3). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211046942
12. Jatiningsih, O., Maulana, M. A., Wicaksana, M. F., Dwi, Siwi, A., & Khotimah, H. (2024). Strengthening nationalism among children of migrant workers in Malaysia. International Journal of Community Care of Humanity, 2(4), 412–430.
13. Juul, K. (2014). Performing belonging, celebrating invisibilty? The role of festivities among migrants of Serbian origin in Denmark and in Serbia. Nordic Journal of Migration Research, 4(4), 184–191. https://doi.org/10.2478/njmr-2014-0030
14. Kirchner-Häusler, A., Leersnyder, J. De, Uskul, A. K., Mirzada, F., Vignoles, V. L., Rodríguez-Bailón, R., Castillo, V. A., Cross, S. E., Gezici-Yalçın, M., Harb, C., Husnu, S., Ishii, K., Karamaouna, P., Kafetsios, K., Kateri, E., Matamoros-Lima, J., Miniesy, R., Na, J., Özkan, Z., … Uchida, Y. (2023). Cultural fit of emotions and subjective well-being: Replicating comparative evidence and extending it to the Mediterranean region. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, 5, 100171. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2023.100171
15. Koenig-Lewis, N., Palmer, A., & Asaad, Y. (2021). Linking engagement at cultural festivals to legacy impacts. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1855434
16. Liu, G., Li, S., & Kong, F. (2022). Association between sense of belonging and loneliness among the migrant elderly following children in Jinan, Shandong Province, China: The moderating effect of migration pattern. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(7), 4396. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074396
17. Mariyono, D. (2024). Indonesian mosaic: the essential need for multicultural education. Quality Education for All, 1(1), 301–325. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/QEA-05-2024-0042
18. Martinez, A., Calsado, C., Lau, J., & Brown, J. (2022). ‘I don’t know where to seek for help, so I just kept my silence’: A qualitative study on psychological help-seeking among Filipino domestic workers in the United Kingdom. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, 2, 100125. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100125
19. Noor, N., & Shaker, M. N. (2017). Perceived workplace discrimination, coping and psychological distress among unskilled Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 57, 19–29. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2017.01.004
20. Popescu, C., & Pudelko, M. (2024). The impact of cultural identity on cultural and language bridging skills of first and second generation highly qualified migrants. Journal of World Business, 59(6), 101571. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2024.101571
21. Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks.
22. Putri, M. H., Azizah, S. N., Akbar, M. J., Kusuma, E. Z. W., Rumara, P. A. C., & Utami, S. A. (2024). Increasing the children’s nationalism of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) through Pancasila, tourism, culture, and Indonesian folk songs in Malaysia. Journal of Sociesty, Community, and Business Development, 2(1), 22–29. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30595/scbd.v2i1.161
23. Tanveer, M. R., Naseer, M. Z., Kanwal, A., & Wajid, U. (2025). The role of cultural heritage preservation in maintaining social identity within immigrant communities. Social Sciences & Humanity Research Review, 3(2). https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.63468/sshrr.031
24. Utaminingsih, S., Anwar, S., & Rachmawaty, S. (2024). Empowering Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong with self-esteem development. Communautaire - Journal of Community Service, 3(2), 240–250. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.61987/communautaire.v3i2.555
25. Zhang, Y., You, C., Pundir, P., & Meijering, L. (2023). Migrants’ community participation and social integration in urban areas: A scoping review. Cities, 141, 104447. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104447
26. Zhou, E., Kyeong, Y., Cheung, C. S., & Michalska, K. J. (2021). Shared Cultural Values Influence Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors in Asian and Latinx College Students. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities, 9(4), 1325–1334. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-021-01073-w
27. Zhou, S., Jiang, L., Li, W., & Leng, M. (2025). Meaning in life from a cultural perspective: the role of cultural identity, perceived social support, and resilience among Chinese college students. Humanit Soc Sci Commun, 12, 91. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04424-8