Human Resources

One of Malaysia’s key attributes is her people.  They make up a pool of young, educated, trainable and highly productive workers.  The country’s labour force comprises 8.1 million people, 60% of whom are below 35.  Wage rates are competitive compared to those in other countries in the region.

More than 1 million students enter secondary schools ever year in Malaysia.  They complete lower and upper secondary education with a total of nine and eleven years in school respectively.

Nine universities and numerous technical and vocational institutions provide a stable supply of trainable labour to support industrial growth.  An estimated 149,000 students at the degree, diploma and certificate levels will graduate from local public institutions during the Seventh Malaysia Plan period (an average of 50% from science and technical courses).  In 1995, more than 50,000 Malaysian students were enrolled in tertiary education institutions abroad.

During the Plan period, public industrial training institutions will increase their intake to produce more and better-trained manpower to meet the requirements of industries.  More than 200,000 trainees, an estimated 60% in engineering trades, will complete training programmes at the skilled and semi-skilled levels.

In 1993, the government established the Human Resource development Fund to facilitate companies in carrying out training for their employees.  Manufacturers who contribute to this fund will be eligible to apply for grants to defray or subsidise costs incurred in the training of their workers, especially in new and emerging skills.

To ensure industrial harmony, Malaysia’s labour laws set out minimum standards to safeguard the interests and spell out the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees.  These provide a legal framework for the orderly conduct of industrial relations in the country.