Brunei Darussalam’s labour landscape remains heavily reliant on foreign workers, particularly in key industries such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. This was revealed by Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman during the 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) Session on Tuesday.
The number of foreign workers fluctuated over recent years, from 65,579 in 2019 to a peak of 75,402 in 2023, reflecting economic shifts post-COVID-19. Notably, 8,350 foreign workers are employed in the retail sector, compared to 6,001 local workers.
According to early findings from the Labour Department as of April 1, 2024, the construction sector tops the list, with 21,515 foreign workers, making up 83 per cent of its workforce. Other industries with significant foreign labour representation include:
Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries – 3,521 foreign workers (75 per cent)
Accommodation & Food Services– 11,361 foreign workers (63 per cent)
Manufacturing – 7,929 foreign workers (63 per cent)
Wholesale & Retail (including vehicle/motorcycle repairs) – 14,908 foreign workers (55 per cent)
The high percentage of foreign workers underscores the ongoing challenge of reducing dependency on expatriate labour while ensuring economic growth. The government is actively monitoring workforce trends to enhance local employment opportunities through succession planning and skills transfer initiatives.
As part of Brunei’s pro-business ecosystem, the Labour Department continues to assess foreign worker quotas to balance economic needs with local workforce development. The revised age limit policy for skilled professionals over 60 or 65 years further aims to retain essential expertise in highly specialised fields. – James Kon
