Several labour violations were uncovered during an enforcement operation by the Law Enforcement Division of the Labour Department, carried out on April 5 at Kampong Pengkalan Baru, targeting automotive repair workshops.
Dubbed Operasi Waspada 64/2025, the inspection aimed to ensure employers’ compliance with the Employment Order, Chapter 278.
According to the Labour Department, six offences were detected, including salary deductions not permitted under the law (Section 44) and failure to provide sick leave certified by a medical practitioner (Section 72).
Two employers were also found guilty under Section 112(1) of employing foreign workers without a valid licence from the Labour Commissioner. The workers in question were under the guarantee of another company and their foreign worker licences had expired.
Additionally, two offences were recorded under Section 112(2) for breaching the conditions of the foreign worker licence. In one instance, a worker hired as a tailor was instead found working as a car mechanic—an occupation not in line with the approved position. The employer also failed to provide employment to a worker under its sponsorship.
The Labour Department stated that further investigations are ongoing. If found guilty, employers may face a compound fine of up to BND1,000 per offence. Failure to settle the fine could result in prosecution in court.
In light of the findings, the department reminded all employers to uphold workers’ welfare and adhere to labour regulations, which include avoiding unlawful salary deductions; Providing valid medical leave; Ensuring foreign workers are employed under valid licences; Renewing licences before expiry; Assigning work according to approved job roles; And fulfilling their responsibility to provide work for sponsored employees.
