Housing Experiences of Pakistani Immigrant Labors in Malaysia

This research considered housing experiences of Pakistani labors in Malaysia that is a main aspect in successful integration. The main focus was on housing rental market, the housing quality and the unfavourable health influences by insufficient housing. Little study was conducted on the housing experiences of Pakistani labor in Malaysia. A qualitative research with inductive approach was applied.Pakistani immigrant labors from Klang Valley were informants in this research. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews. The results indicated that immigrants have their housing more tough than predicted, mostly due to high costs. Immigrants were split about the quality of rental houses. Those who were satisfied could afford the house in private housing market. However, those immigrants who were not satisfied could not afford more suitable housing. They have issues of over-crowding, pest infiltration, damp properties. This research recommended that services of housing and settlement should deliver more direct support to new immigrants. Immigration settlement policies must ensure the presence of more affordable housing; employment opportunities that offer a satisfactory salary and quality programs and services to integrate new immigrants into the public.