The Law Enforcement Division of the Labour Department, in collaboration with the Law Enforcement Division of the Immigration and National Registration Department and the Land Transport Department, conducted the 2024 Integrated Operation Siaga on October 23. This joint operation aimed to reinforce and ensure employer compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Inspections took place across two separate locations in the Brunei-Muara District, targeting unlicensed taxi activities and grass-cutting services. The Labour Department identified one violation under the Employment Order 2009. The offense involved a private driver, hired under a Domestic Service License, engaging in unlicensed taxi services, which breached Section 112, prohibiting such business activities.
In grass-cutting services, three separate violations were detected under the Employment Order 2009. These included two violations under Section 112(2) for breaching Foreign Worker License conditions, with the employer failing to provide work for their employees.
Additionally, the Immigration and National Registration Department detained two Bangladeshi nationals for further investigation after they failed to present valid documentation.
The Land Transport Department issued compound fines under Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act, Chapter 68, for the use of private vehicles for business purposes without a valid permit. Additional penalties were issued under Section 31 of the Road Traffic Act for using vehicles with worn-out tyres exposing the threads, posing a risk to road safety.
For violations of the Employment Order 2009, employers may face compound fines of up to BND 1,000. Failure to pay these fines may lead to court action. Furthermore, offending employers may have their Foreign Worker and Domestic Service Licenses suspended, disallowing them from hiring foreign employees.
The Labour Department reminds employers to closely monitor employee welfare in line with the Employment Order 2009, ensuring workers perform roles consistent with their licensed job titles and operate under the conditions of their Foreign Worker and Domestic Service Licenses. Employers are also urged to adhere to national laws and regulations.
