Find which office handles your complaint
The right office depends on whether you lost your job or were just not paid.
The core question
Ask yourself one thing first. Did you lose your job unfairly, or does your employer owe you money?
If you lost your job, your route is the Department of Industrial Relations (JPPM). It runs through a Section 20 representation.
If the problem is unpaid salary, overtime or annual leave, your route is the Labour Office (JTKSM). This applies whether you still work there or left cleanly.
What JPPM handles
JPPM takes representations from workers dismissed without just cause or excuse. It runs the whole Section 20 process, including conciliation.
Conciliation happens with both sides in the room. Lawyers cannot attend for you at that stage.2
Bring your termination letter, employment contract, payslips and any messages showing how the dismissal happened.
What the Labour Office handles
The Labour Office handles claims for unpaid wages, overtime, annual leave and similar money owed under the Employment Act.
Bring your payslips, your employment contract and your own calculation of what is owed. Write down the period it covers.
Where you worked matters. The Employment Act covers Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan. If you worked in Sabah or Sarawak, money claims run under the Sabah Labour Ordinance or the Sarawak Labour Ordinance through that state’s Labour Department.
Some statutory benefits, such as overtime, have their own eligibility rules, for example for non-manual employees earning above RM4,000 a month.1 Unpaid salary itself can still be claimed. If you are unsure which applies to you, ask the Labour Office or a lawyer before you file.
What to do with your result
Write down which office fits your main complaint. If both issues apply, you may need to file with each office separately.
If any part of your issue is a dismissal, check the deadline calculator. The 60-day window applies whichever office you also approach.
Read about JPPM conciliation before your appointment so the process is familiar.
How a lawyer helps from here
A lawyer can confirm which office fits your facts and help you prepare your documents and figures. Because lawyers cannot sit in the room at conciliation, they can also brief you fully beforehand.
If you want that help, send your dates and what happened. An independent lawyer may review the facts and replies about whether and how they can act.
Common questions
Can I file with both offices at the same time?
Yes, if your case involves both an unfair dismissal and unpaid money, such as salary or annual leave. These are separate processes and can run alongside each other.
Can my lawyer speak for me at conciliation?
Solicitors are not permitted to represent parties at the conciliation stage itself, so you attend in person. A lawyer can still prepare you fully beforehand and advise you on what comes after.
Sources
- The Labour Department handles claims for unpaid salary and contractual payments; some statutory benefits such as overtime have eligibility limits, including for non-manual employees earning above RM4,000 a month. JTKSM, Labour Case
- After a representation is lodged the Department of Industrial Relations arranges conciliation, and solicitors are not permitted to represent the parties at that conciliation stage. Mah Weng Kwai & Associates
Keep reading
If you are ready to file, an independent lawyer can confirm which office fits. They can prepare your filing and conciliation for you if it is a case they can take on.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.