PETALING JAYA: Economists say the growing reliance on side jobs among urban workers reflects deeper structural issues in Malaysia’s labour market, particularly wage stagnation and rising living costs, rather than a preference for flexible work arrangements.
Universiti Teknologi Mara economist Dr Mohamad Idham Md Razak said the trend of workers taking on multiple jobs must be understood as a response to income pressure in urban centres.
“As much as gig platforms offer flexibility and opportunities to supplement income, the growing participation in side work indicates that wages from primary employment are no longer sufficient to keep up with rising living costs in cities,” Mohamad Idham told theSun.
He added that the phenomenon points less toward lifestyle choice and more toward widening income gaps.
“This trend is better seen as a reflection of income inadequacy rather than a voluntary shift towards flexible work.
“Many workers are forced to diversify their income sources simply to bridge the gap between wages and basic living expenses.”
He also said the situation is especially pronounced among younger workers and those in service-oriented sectors.
“In urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, salaries below RM3,000 are increasingly challenging when factoring in rent, transport, food and other financial commitments.
“This has led to a growing reliance on side jobs among young workers, particularly in sectors such as food and beverage, retail and semi-skilled occupations.”
He said while side work may offer short-term relief financially, sustained dependence on secondary income could undermine work-life balance.
“If left unaddressed, this could lead to chronic fatigue, mental health strain and reduced capacity for long-term skills development, ultimately affecting productivity and economic growth.”
Meanwhile, Putra Business School MBA and DBA director Prof Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff told theSun that the issue stems from uncompetitive wages and limited job opportunities that match the qualifications of workers.
“While this situation may appear to reflect labour market flexibility, the core problem is that wages offered to Malaysian workers are no longer competitive.
“At the same time, there are insufficient job opportunities that align with the academic qualifications and experience of workers.”
The latest data from the Statistics Department, based on 2024 household expenditure patterns and released in December 2025, shows that the cost of living in major urban centres remains high even for small households, with basic monthly expenditure for a decent standard of living reaching RM6,870 in Petaling Jaya and RM6,404 in Klang, both higher than the RM5,639 required for Kuala Lumpur.
Ahmed said the figures highlight a growing disconnect between wages and urban living costs.
“The statistics clearly show that the cost of living in major cities is high, even for young individuals and small households. Yet wages offered by employers remain low despite workers being based in urban centres.”
