Answer to Oral Question PL178

Reading Summary

📖 Reading time: 5 minutes
📊 Word count: 789 words

YANG BERHORMAT PEHIN ORANG KAYA INDERA PAHLAWAN DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI SUYOI BIN HAJI OSMAN

QUESTION:

YANG BERHORMAT PEHIN ORANG KAYA INDERA PAHLAWAN DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI SUYOI BIN HAJI OSMAN asked the MINISTER AT THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE to state whether the Brunei Job Centre is open to dialogue with companies to listen and improve the procedures and processes for recruiting local and foreign workers to meet industry needs. Several firms have indicated that the process through the Job Centre does not facilitate job offerings and obtaining workers.

MINISTER AT THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

ANSWER:

Yang Berhormat Pehin Pengerusi,

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

1. Kaola expresses appreciation and gratitude to Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman for the question on whether the Brunei Job Centre is ready to dialogue with companies to improve the recruitment process for local and foreign workers, given that several firms state the existing process does not facilitate job offers and obtaining workers.

2. Firstly, Kaola would like to briefly explain the role of the Brunei Job Centre (PPB), Prime Minister's Department, in the application process for foreign worker recruitment, commonly known as the Foreign Worker Clearance Letter (FWCL). PPB is one of the government agencies responsible for reviewing foreign worker recruitment applications before being submitted to the Labour Department for further processing.

3. In this evaluation process, PPB will consider whether the position applied for can be filled by local talent or otherwise. This includes reviewing the localisation efforts made by employers before applying to hire foreign workers. Only after a thorough evaluation is conducted will support for the FWCL application be considered.

4. Furthermore, some FWCL applications require technical support and further verification from regulators before being decided. Among the regulators currently collaborating with PPB are:

   i. Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI), under the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications;

   ii. Authority for Building Control and Construction Industry (ABCi), Ministry of Development;

   iii. Departments under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; and

   iv. Starting in 2025, Attorney General's Office, Prime Minister's Department as the regulator for positions in law firms.

5. In this regard, PPB plays an important role in closely collaborating with regulators to process applications based on guidelines and conditions set by the regulatory agencies. This collaboration ensures that each application is processed orderly, transparently, and in line with industry needs.

6. For applications processed through PPB, 76% of the 10,053 FWCL applications received from January 1, 2025, to July 31, 2025, were successfully completed within five (5) working days, in line with the People's Care Commitment (TPOR). Applications that take longer are usually due to:

   i. Incomplete supporting documents requiring further review or inquiries from PPB; and

   ii. The need to obtain support from regulators, where processing time depends on the agency's time taken.

7. PPB consistently practices an open approach in receiving views and feedback from various parties including private companies and local job seekers. This is in line with PPB's efforts to improve service effectiveness and ensure that every implemented initiative aligns with the current job market needs.

8. As an effort to enhance service delivery to the public and industry, PPB has extended operating hours from five (5) days to six (6) days a week starting in 2022, including operations on Fridays. This step is taken to support the needs of private companies that also operate on that day and to facilitate matters related to PPB services.

9. Additionally, PPB has implemented various initiatives to strengthen information delivery to the industry in a strategic and effective manner, including:

   i. "Maximising Your Localisation Efforts" Briefing This briefing introduces the platforms provided by PPB to assist companies in obtaining local workforce. It also serves as a forum for two-way discussions between PPB and the industry, with over 70 companies participating since its launch in 2024.

   ii. Dialogue Session with Companies On May 12, 2025, a dialogue session involving 26 companies in the retail sector was held to discuss challenges in recruiting local workforce, especially for the Cashier position. This session allowed PPB to understand actual issues on the ground and subsequently draft several support initiatives to assist companies in acquiring local workers more effectively and competitively.

10. As an agency responsible for driving the development of the local workforce, PPB remains committed to strengthening collaboration with the industry, providing inclusive and responsive services, and staying relevant to the current job market needs.

11. PPB is also always open to feedback and continuous improvement in policy and the implementation of job placement programs, with the goal of ensuring local citizens have fair, comprehensive, and sustainable employment opportunities, while supporting the actual workforce needs of the country through active private sector involvement.

That is all Kaola can convey. Thank you.