Malaysia has more female managers than Singapore, says survey

According to world recruitment firm Hays, Malaysia out beat Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Japan when it comes to having women in managerial positions. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 23, 2016. Malaysia has more women in managerial positions compared with Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Japan, says a survey by world recruitment firm Hays.

The 2016 Hays Asia Salary Guide survey of 3,000 employers from across five countries found that 37% of management roles in Malaysia were occupied by women.

In China, the figure was about 32% of management roles followed by Hong Kong at 28% and Singapore at 27%. Women in Japan hold only 19% of management roles.

Malaysia’s workforce however, is less culturally diverse than that of Hong Kong and Singapore. Only 15% of positions in Malaysian companies were filled with foreigners as compared with 28% in Singapore and 18% in Hong Kong.

About 9% of jobs in Japan and 8% of positions in China were held by foreigners, the guide said.

It added that 53% of Malaysian workers started job hunting for better salary and benefits packages.

“When asked what keeps them in a job, 42% of candidates nominated salary and benefits as well, while 34% nominated work-life balance and 34% career progression.”

It said across all countries, 84% of employers provide some form of staff benefits and bonuses, the most common being health and medical coverage at 78%.

Despite expectations of an economic slump this year,  60% of employers in the whole survey expect business activity to pick up, while 43% expect to hire more permanent staff.

But, 46% of firms report that they will maintain current staff levels, while 19% said they plan on increasing the hiring of temporary personnel. – February 23, 2016.