The Malaysian construction industry is heavily reliant on foreign labour to meet its workforce demands. However, language barriers present persistent challenges that hinder effective communication, task execution, and overall productivity on construction sites. This study aims to identify the key factors contributing to language-related communication barriers among foreign workers, assess their impact on work productivity, and explore practical strategies to mitigate these challenges. A quantitative approach was adopted through questionnaires distributed to contractors under Grade 6 (G6) and Grade 7 (G7) in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, with 125 valid responses collected. Descriptive analysis revealed that limited proficiency in Malay and English, along with cultural differences, are the main contributors to communication breakdowns. These barriers result in task delays, increased safety risks, reduced teamwork efficiency, and lower work quality due to misinterpretation and frequent task repetition. Among the strategies evaluated, government-led initiatives were viewed as the most effective, highlighting the need for structured, large-scale interventions such as compulsory language training, interpreter services, and multilingual safety resources. This underscores the critical role of policy-level support in addressing industry-wide communication issues within the construction sector. The study further emphasises the importance of strengthening on-site supervision and fostering an inclusive communication culture. These findings provide valuable insights for construction stakeholders and policymakers in developing targeted strategies to improve communication, safety, and productivity in Malaysia’s foreign labour-dependent construction sector.
A Mon, study studied this question.
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