The government continues to strengthen local employment and provide support for job seekers with JobCentre Brunei playing a pivotal role in facilitating the country’s labour market.
This was highlighted by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah during the 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
The minister responded to a query by a LegCo member regarding the reconstruction plans for the JobCentre Brunei building, previously used as a cooperative building. The building, deemed unsafe for use, is now being renovated to better serve the needs of both job seekers and employers. The new JobCentre Brunei facility will feature advanced and inclusive services aligned with international standards, including spaces for career fairs, workshops and ample interview rooms for more than 200 people. The centre will also be fully accessible for individuals with special needs.
In addition to its modern features, the new JobCentre Brunei building will be a key green building project, incorporating environmentally sustainable practices under the 12th National Development Plan.
Responding to questions from LegCo members regarding the key performance indicators (KPIs) for local employment, the minister outlined the two KPIs for 2024–2025. The first KPI, targeting 3,000 local hires per year in the private sector, refers to job seekers who successfully secure employment through JobCentre Brunei’s platform. This figure measures the centre’s effectiveness in facilitating local job placements.
The second KPI, targeting 12,000 local hires across both the private and public sectors, refers to the total number of local hires in four key categories: new hires in the public service; new hires in uniformed services; new hires in the private sector; and enrolments in apprenticeship schemes or training programmes.
This broader KPI is tracked monthly to provide a comprehensive view of the local labour market, enabling better workforce planning and the development of new employment initiatives.
In 2024, JobCentre Brunei facilitated 3,299 local hires in the private sector, making a significant contribution to the employment of locals across various industries. The government has allocated more than BND19 million to the JobCentre Brunei programme, which will fund initiatives such as the i-Ready programme, courses, sub-skills training and similar schemes. These programmes are designed to enhance the skills of local workers and improve their employability.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew also shared that the unemployment rate had decreased to 4.8 per cent in 2024, thanks to several contributing factors, including a four-per-cent increase in private sector employment.
The government has implemented policies to ensure the protection of both employers and employees, such as the Employment Order, 2009 and Employment (Minimum Wage) Order 2023, which came into effect on July 12, 2023. This mandates a minimum wage of BND500 per month for full-time workers and BND2.62 per hour for part-time workers, supporting both economic and social growth.
The government remains committed to safeguarding workers through the introduction of the National Retirement Scheme (SPK), which strengthens the welfare of local workers upon retirement. The SPK includes workers from both the formal and informal sectors.
Furthermore, the Occupational Safety and Health Act continues to be enforced by the Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA) to ensure a safe working environment. – Fadley Faisal
