Labour and wage patterns in the manufacturing industries,Malaysia

Abstract

The manufacturing sector has been amongst the fastest growing sectors of the Malaysian economy, averaging an annual growth rate (in current prices) of 16.4% between 1968 and 1975, while its share of GDP increased from 13% in 1968 to 20% in 1975 (Treasury Economic Report, 1975/76). At the same time, its share in export value grew from 10.4% in 1968 to 18.9% in 1975 (ibid.). Simultaneously, employment in the manufacturing sector also grew dramatically from 260,000 in 1968 (Malaysia, 1970) to 440,000 in 1975 (Malaysia, 1979). Real value added grew by 8.5% per annum between 1968 and 1970 (Malaysia, 1970) and by 4.1% per annum between 1970 and 1975 (Malaysia, 1975).