Employer of Record and Payroll Services in Malaysia 
Mercans-owned legal entity
We have our own legal entity to protect your business from risk and provide you and your employees with a distinctive experience.
We have our own legal entity to protect your business from risk and provide you and your employees with a distinctive experience.
Services available
- Employer of record
- Contractor management
- Global payroll
- In-country payroll
Mercans offers complete payroll, PEO and HR services in Malaysia
There are multiple opportunities in Malaysia thanks to its dynamic and robust economy. These opportunities are present across a number of sectors such as manufacturing, which is the main engine of Malaysia’s economic growth. It is also an enabler of Industry 4.0. Further, the services sector is expanding with increased focus on high technology.
Download PDF
Doing Business in Malaysia
It is easy to do business in Malaysia and MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority) provides resources and information that companies may need to know prior to setting up in Malaysia. The government encourages joint ventures/partnerships between Malaysian and foreign investors. Certain activities and products are also eligible for consideration of tax incentives.
Entity Registration and Incorporation Requirements
Setting up a new business or expanding an existing one in Malaysia is straightforward. Choose how your company operates from a range of entity types which suit your individual circumstance.
Banking
Banking Hours: Monday - Friday from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Working Week
The standard working week is from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Labor Law
The primary law on employment is the Employment Act (EA) 1955. Companies that operate multi-country payroll should take note that the EA only applies to certain categories of employee, that is, any individual who has entered into a contract of service with an employer under which the individual’s wages do not exceed RM2,000 a month. It also covers any individual whose wages exceed RM2,000 per month where the individual is engaged in manual labor, engaged in the operation or maintenance of a mechanically propelled vehicle operated, supervises or oversees other employees who are engaged in manual labor, engaged in any capacity in any vessel registered in Malaysia or is engaged as a domestic servant.
Download PDF
Main Industries
Electronics, rubber and palm oil processing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, smelting, logging, timber processing, petroleum production
GDP Growth
4.50%
Dates & Numbers
dd/mm/yyyy
Official State Name
Malaysia
Population
32.37 Million
Capital
Kuala Lumpur
Major Languages
Malay
Currency
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Internet Domain
.my
International Dialing Code
+60
23°C
Payroll
The EA stipulates that every employer shall pay employees no later than the seventh day after the last day of any wage period. The wage period is typically a month, and if there is no wage period mentioned in the employment contract, then the wage period is deemed to be one month.
It is acceptable to provide employees with online payslips
Payslip
Payroll report must be kept for 7 years
Reports
The employee is entitled to 8 days from the first 2 years of employment
Annual Leave
If the employee has worked for less than two years, then the entitlement is 14 days
Sick Leave
90 days of paid maternity leave and 7 days of paid paternity leave
Maternity & Paternity Leave
30 days’ notice is typically provided
Employee Termination
As stipulated in the employment contract, a 13th month salary is customarily provided at the end of the year
13th month salary
1,200 MYR per month in urban areas and 1,100 MYR per month in rural areas
Minimum Wage
150% of the regular salary rate and overtime hours worked on rest days and weekends are paid at 200% of the regular salary rate
Overtime
10 days of severance pay at the regular salary pay rate for every year of service completed for employees within the first two years of employment
Severance Pay
Tax and Social Security
An individual (whether tax resident or non-resident in Malaysia) is taxed on any income accruing in or derived from Malaysia. There are no local taxes on personal income in Malaysia. The Malaysian social security system is called SOCSO or PERKESO (Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial). SOCSO provides financial assistance to employees and their families in the event of an accident or occupational disease.
Tax
Non-resident individuals are charged at a flat rate of 30% on total taxable income.
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Income Tax
Sales Tax
VAT
Social Security
Employers are legally obligated to make statutory contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) and the Employee Injury Insurance System (EIIS) Scheme. EPF is a compulsory pension scheme for all Malaysians. SOCSO administers the EIIS and the Invalidity Pension Scheme (IPS).
Social Security Rate
Social Security Rate for Employers
Social Security Rate for Employees
Employment Law
The most common category of employment relationship is in the private sector between an employer and employee. The terms of the employment contract determine the contractual rights and obligations of the employer and employee. However, Malaysian law also recognises an employee’s implied rights and duties. Statutory law regulates many aspects of employment including working hours, minimum wages, dismissal benefits, social security insurance and more.
Employment Agreement
Although an agreement made orally between an employer and employee is legally recognised and enforceable, it is advisable to have an employment relationship captured in writing and signed between the parties. Some companies may issue a generic employment contract and provide a job description which outlines duties and responsibilities separately.
Working condition
Every employee shall be allowed in each week, a paid rest day, as may be determined from time to time by the employer. Any hours worked in excess of the normal hours of work shall be classified as overtime work. If required to work on a public holiday, the employee shall be paid not less than three times their daily rate of pay and the same applies if required to work overtime on a public holiday.
Leaves
Under law, every employee is entitled to 11 gazetted public holidays. All Malaysian employees are also entitled to any days which are appointed as a public holiday.
Employment termination
Under the EA, either the employer or employee may provide notice of payment in lieu of notice in order to terminate the contract of service. The length of the notice depends on the tenure of employment. That said, employers must provide ‘just cause and excuse’ in order to terminate an employee under industrial relations law.
30 days
Minimum notice period for terminating an employee
6
Total number of public holidays
40
Working Conditions
Up to 4 weeks
Total number of days for Compassionate & Bereavement Leave
Immigration
All employers are required to ensure that foreign worker candidates have undergone ISC (Immigration Security Clearance) verification as part of the application process to work in Malaysia. Foreign workers are permitted to work only in designated areas: manufacturing, construction, plantation, agriculture and services.
Residency permits
The Employment Pass (EP) is a work permit that enables an expatriate to take up employment with a company in Malaysia. The pass is subject to the contract of employment (up to 60 months). Prior to application, the company should check eligibility for the expatriate EP. The EP allows the individual to work only for the company named in the EP.
Work Permit validity
6 months – 5 years
Required Documents
A passport with at least 18 months until expiry
The applicant needs to be be 27 years old or older (except for those who are working in the IT sector)
Completed application form attached to the original employment contract
Recent passport-sized photos
Letters from the employer confirming that the employer will pay salaries and tax revenue
Proof that the company complies with all industry regulations
Income tax receipts that provide proof of payment
Build the best team and hire top talent compliantly in Malaysia. Get in touch with Malaysia payroll outsourcing & PEO specialists for a free consultation!
Download PDF