You have pointed out some very solid pointers. However I think it largely boils down to everyone not caring enough to make things work.

Employers think its ok to pay low salaries for staffs on all levels. In one of my previous posts I've read comments along the lines of "if not happy, feel free to leave; bosses can always replace you with similar salaries or even cheaper salaries. take it or leave it".

Some employees and staffs think its ok to produce crap work and submit. I should also mention how after working in Malaysian companies for a few years, the talent is only until that much. It doesn't go any higher. Maybe there is no longer room to grow. Maybe its the culture that does not allow the Malaysian individual to grow. If we are going by the logic where you get paid for your level of talent, that is.

I don't think Malaysia is in the position to ask for more. What can Malaysia offer the world besides cheap labor, which in turn they exploit locals by paying low salaries and giving low benefits? As disappointing as it gets, I think I have to echo some of the sentiments voiced by some of the users here: better you have a job than have none at all.

That's why there's a common saying: "if you are smart enough, and have the money, you would have left the country for better pastures."
AND "you get what you paid for".

I bet my life savings in 20 years, people will still claim 2k to be a “good” salary for fresh grads despite the rising living costs in the same timeframe.

This post has been edited by dudewhatisthis: Jul 4 2021, 12:07 PM

and there will always be those who argue how that 2k should be spent minimally by downgrading life quality to those of undeveloped nations, yes fresh graduate should take that 2k and save it, live in the woods, hunt rabbits and gather berries for food while drinking water from a well to avoid the exorbitant rising cost of living a decent life.

Yep, 20 years later people will make some post and breakdown how to spend 2k wisely as a fresh grad (factoring in inflation), probably we'll see some advices like ask fresh grad drink water only until getting promoted to senior position, then they only will be able to afford soft drink. I bet Axia will be considered as a luxury in future, then people will recommend fresh grad to downgrade to bike/bicycle instead. God forbid all these fresh grad having normal life.

Too many graduates now and most are still “immature “. What important is that how you can justify that you are the one worth to get higher salary. I don’t believe if a fresh graduate with above average cgpa, mature thinking, good attitude and good English comprehension/presentation during interview cannot secure a job with reasonable or above average salary.
Sometimes can’t blame the employers actually many fresh grad nowadays I saw are irresponsible one.
Also those low cgpa, lousy English speaking one most are the goyang kaki/enjoy life/ game addicted type in college...

You cannot just look at getting as much as you want, you also HAVE to look at how he/she spends the money. It is BOTH. Otherwise, if employers gives you RM10k straight out of college, you will come back to this forum saying the same thing.

Problem is, fresh grad only looks at fresh grad point of view and employer only looks at employer point of view. What I hate is as soon as somebody progressed from employee to employer, he begins to discard his fresh-grad thinking and become stingy Chinaman boss.

Okay let me add on my perspective as a freshie (< 3 years of exp.)

IMHO, the reason why low salary happens to freshie its because, the university overproduce them. Everyone can get a piece of Degree nowadays, because lax of entry requirement and easy PTPTN approval. Definitely, supply vs demand issue here.

Now, I'm looking for ways to enhance my piece of paper. To differentiate myself from waves of freshie out there.

it can be enough if you plan your expenses wisely.

But definitely on the borderline...

i can foresee this low pay wont be going away soon and is already embedded in malaysian culture for many many years.

even right now when covid19 pandemic is still lingering and after recovery, lots of ppl who are jobless will be exploited with mediocre salary.

all i can say is that most fresh grads have the disadvantages at the start due to low salary bracket but i am inclined to say that if they play their cards right, they can get out from the dilemma within 2-3 years.

11 years ago, when I was picking my first car, the salesman that I dealt with told me that she requires at least rm6000 to get by in klang valley.

Well, she traveled a lot to find buyers- and had to pay tolls and so on.., had 3 kids..

But I think your food calculation is a little bit high. Maybe can reduce to RM 20 per days - that means you have to cook some of the meals, and buy some

Obscenely high salary for top while bottom feeders very low salary. Typical capitalist scenario.

Check back 10years back how much for fresh graduate

People who said to look back on how much fresh grads were paid many years ago, I assume you have taken inflation into account?

*Edit* I'm not saying that fresh grads should be paid this or that amount, just want to understand if there is some points I'm missing, feel free to correct me if so.

This post has been edited by Achilles Yong: Jul 13 2021, 03:40 PM

Fresh grad duty is to be involved with riots if the country is in problem. Salary will always be low if country leadership sucks. Please riot violently fresh grads... It's for your future.

Quite sad to hear that

No way can salary increment rate to chase up the inflation rate now

The median salary in Malaysia is RM2k. Meaning half our Malaysian workforce make less than this amount a month.

Cost of living is cheap. Cost of lifestyle is expensive.

That is bad. No wonder most of malaysian dont have saving.

You sure boh? Where is your source?

Ppl earning third world country salary but want to live a first world country lifestyle.