With the nation's ever-dynamic mix of native and adopted Malaysians providing a top caliber workforce, investments lead to success.
Expats find it straightforward to find a job in the country's bustling business sector. International corporations have been opening up positions and, in fact, relying on foreign labor to a significant degree, especially in the technical fields. In the IT sector alone, a shortage of 30,000 - 35,000 workers prevents the full potential of this particular market from being realized. While local workers comprise a big sector of the labor market in Malaysia, the unstoppable growth of business has inevitably opened doors for expatriate workers who have proven themselves skilled and competent.
To be able to work legally in Malaysia, an individual needs to first secure employment before lodging a visa application. Together with other requirements such as possession of a passport and other personal documents, a written offer from a Malaysian employer or a foreign company operating in Malaysia is needed. Those working in an international firm with a branch in Malaysia may ask to be posted there. Those who enter the country are expected to have a valid national passport or a travel document intended for Malaysia. However, in the absence of these, an individual may obtain a document granting access at any Malaysian Representative in the individual's home country.
Executive and non-executive salaries are expected to grow in the coming years within the Malaysian workforce. Here are examples of typical monthly salary levels based on 30-45-year-old employees with at least a bachelor's degree and five years of experience in a single company:
- CEO's $5,916 -$15,975
- Factory/plant managers $1,623 - $7,044
- Sales managers $979 - $6,628
- Systems engineers $547 - $3,774
- Software developers $547 - $3,774
- Secretaries $446 - $1,781
The government's main agency providing workers' benefits is the Social Security Organization, which has programs in place in case of injury, invalidity or death of its members. Membership is mandatory for those earning below RM200 ($589.623) and optional for those earning more. This also applies to expat workers who are afforded the same degree of security as every other Malaysian citizen.
Maximum hours that an employee may render per week is 48, with a maximum of 6 days per week. Overtime pay is computed as normal hourly wage multiplied by 1.5.
Both expats and citizens are given basic leave entitlement, including national holidays and 10 days of paid vacation. Four national holidays in Malaysia are National Day, birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong, birthday of the Ruler, and Workers Celebration Day. The employer may choose other vacation days. Employees may work such holidays and will be paid double their regular daily wage. Maternity leave is a minimum of 60 days during which termination of the female worker is prohibited. Paid sick leave is also in force, whereby the number of paid days depends on tenure. Malaysian employers, however, are strict in the requirements for sick leave application and require a certification from a doctor and advanced notice when possible.
The job market in Malaysia is truly competitive, but present conditions have tipped the competition in favor of expatriates. This means that so long as multinational corporations remain headquartered in this country, so will opportunities for expat hopefuls wanting to make Malaysia their new home.
More Expat Resources
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