KUALA LUMPUR (March 2): Most employers in Malaysia (46%) plan to provide salary increases of 3 to 6% in their next review period while 11% plan increases of up to 3%, according to recruiting experts Hays.

The 2016 Hays Asia Salary Guide highlights salary and recruiting trends from more than 3,000 employers across China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore representing six million employees.

The Guide also provides salary levels for more than 1,200 roles.

This year’s Guide found 29% of Malaysian employers plan to increase salaries by 6 to 10% and 10% by more than 10%.

It said only 4% of employers do not plan to award any increases this year.

Looking at the actual increases awarded during last year’s reviews, Hays found 50% of employers in Malaysia increased salaries by 3 to 6%; 24% by 6 to 10%, 12% by up to 3% and 8% by more than 10%.

It said a further 6% of employers did not provide any salary increases last year.

Hays said China is the most generous employer surveyed for this year’s annual guide, with the majority 50% of employers there awarding between 6 and 10%.

It said Japan is the least generous in terms of salary increases with most, 63% of employers, awarding up to 3%.

Hays Asia managing director Christine Wright said Hays expects most employers to tread carefully on salary this year to help navigate business and economic conditions so bonuses and benefits are additional ways they can reward staff without inflating salary budgets.

“In saying that, nearly all employers are expecting to feel an impact from skill shortages this year, which could put upward pressure on salaries in some areas.

“About a third of employers told us they don’t have the right talent needed to meet current business objectives,” she said.