The Labour Department, under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manpower Planning and Employment Council (MPEC), has announced the implementation of the second phase of Brunei’s minimum wage policy, which will be extended to nine sub-industries across six sectors starting April 1, 2025.
The industries covered under this phase include financial services, healthcare, education, professional and technical services, administrative and support services, as well as accommodation and food services.
Industries covered in Phase Two
According to the Labour Department, sub-industries are as follows:
Financial and Insurance Activities – Financial services, insurance, and other financial activities licensed under BDCB, Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB), or Bank Usahawan.
Human Health and Social Work – Core health services employing registered doctors and dentists under the Brunei Medical Board.
Education – Private higher education institutions registered under the Ministry of Education.
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities – Architecture and engineering consultancy firms employing registered professionals under BAPEQS, as well as land and quantity surveying companies.
Administrative and Support Services – Licensed travel agencies and security firms registered under the Royal Brunei Police Force.
Accommodation and Food Services – Tourist accommodation premises registered under the Tourism Development Department.
Employers required to update contracts
Under the new regulations, companies are required to provide updated written employment contracts signed by both employers and employees, including both local and foreign workers, incorporating the revised minimum wage. However, employees earning above the minimum wage are not required to sign a new contract.
Failure to comply with the Employment Order (Minimum Wage) 2025 under Chapter 148 of the Employment Act (Cap. 278) could result in penalties. Offending employers may face a fine of up to BND3,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
For further information or to report violations, the public can contact the Labour Department and MPEC through the following channels: Labour Department Enforcement Division at hotline: 7298989; nlms.gov.bn (select “Aduan Pelanggaran Undang-Undang Perburuhan”); Email: info.buruh@buruh.gov.bn or www.labour.gov.bn
The implementation of the second phase of the minimum wage policy is part of Brunei’s ongoing efforts to enhance worker protection and ensure fair wages across key industries.
The first phase of Brunei’s minimum wage policy was implemented in July 2023 and applied to the banking, financial, and ICT sectors.
