When must salaries be paid? The 7-day rule
Under section 19 of the Employment Act 1955, wages for a wage period must be paid no later than the seventh day after that period ends.
At a glance
JTKSMPay salaries (7 days after the wage period ends)
- Due
- Within 7 days after the wage period ends
- Grace period
- Overtime, rest-day and public-holiday pay can wait until the end of the next wage period. Employment Act 1955 (Peninsular Malaysia).
- Official source
- jtksm.mohr.gov.my
Example
For a monthly wage period ending 30 September 2026, salaries are due by 7 October 2026.
Overtime, rest days and public holidays
Pay for overtime, and for work on rest days and public holidays, may instead be paid by the last day of the next wage period (s.19(2)).
Does it apply to higher earners?
Yes. Since 1 January 2023 the Employment Act covers anyone with a contract of service. The RM4,000-a-month line now only affects a few overtime and holiday-pay provisions (such as ss.60(3), 60A(3) and 60J), and section 19 is not one of them. This comes from the Employment (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2022, P.U.(A) 262/2022; its start date was moved to 1 January 2023 by P.U.(A) 273/2022.
Where it applies
The Employment Act 1955 applies to Peninsular Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak have their own Labour Ordinances, which we have not checked.
Contributions on those salaries are due by the 15th of the next month: EPF, SOCSO, EIS and PCB.
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Sources
Not tax advice. MyBizCalendar is a reminder tool, not a tax agent: we explain the published rules and never handle anyone's filing. Check the official source before you rely on a date. Checked against the official sources on 22 September 2026.