KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 23): 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.