🇲🇾 Malaysia · Employment & Labor
Hiring rules, employment contracts, payroll, social insurance, and EOR options.
Quick answer
Malaysian employment under the Employment Act sets a national minimum wage, a 45-hour work week, paid annual leave of 8-16 days by service, and termination benefits. Employers contribute to EPF, SOCSO and EIS; disputes go to the Labour Department and, for dismissals, the Industrial Court.
Employment in Malaysia is governed by the Employment Act; the Ministry of Human Resources oversees conditions and a national minimum wage.
- The Employment Act sets working hours, leave and termination rules.
- A national minimum wage applies.
- Employers contribute to EPF (pension) and SOCSO (social security).
Step-by-step
- 1
Get a written contract
Get a written contract of service covering wages, hours and benefits.
- 2
Know your pay and hours rights
You must receive at least the national minimum wage; normal hours are capped at 45 a week, with overtime at premium rates.
- 3
Understand leave entitlements
You are entitled to 8-16 days' paid annual leave depending on service, plus paid sick leave and public holidays.
- 4
Register for EPF, SOCSO and EIS
Your employer contributes to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), SOCSO and the Employment Insurance System (EIS).
- 5
Know termination and benefits rules
Notice or pay in lieu applies, and eligible employees receive termination/lay-off benefits; dismissal without just cause can be challenged.
- 6
Resolve disputes
Raise wage/standards issues with the Labour Department, and unfair-dismissal claims through the Industrial Relations process and Industrial Court.
Checklist
- Written contract of service
- National minimum wage
- 45-hour week + premium overtime
- 8-16 days' annual leave + sick leave + holidays
- EPF + SOCSO + EIS contributions
- Notice/pay in lieu + termination benefits
- Just-cause dismissal protection
- Dispute route (Labour Department / Industrial Court)
Official authorities
- Ministry of Human Resources
Labour ministry — employment rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum wage in Malaysia?
Yes — a national minimum wage applies, reviewed periodically by the government.
What is EPF?
The Employees Provident Fund is the mandatory retirement-savings scheme funded by employer and employee contributions.
Can I challenge an unfair dismissal?
Yes — a dismissal without just cause or excuse can be referred through the Industrial Relations Department to the Industrial Court.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- MyGovernment Portal — Malaysia government services portal
- Immigration Department of Malaysia — Visas, passes (Employment / DE Rantau) and MM2H
- Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) — Income tax and tax-number registration
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) — Foreign investment and manufacturing/services licensing