Answer for Oral Question PL178

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman

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

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri

Yang Berhormat Pehin Pengerusi,

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.

1. Kaola records appreciation and thanks 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 prepared to engage in dialogue with companies to improve the process of recruiting local and foreign workers, given that several firms state that the existing process does not facilitate job offerings and obtaining workers.

2. First of all, Kaola would like to briefly explain the role of the Brunei Job Centre (PPB), Prime Minister’s Office, in the process of applying to recruit foreign workers, or commonly known as the Foreign Worker Clearance Letter (FWCL). PPB is one of the government agencies that plays a role in examining applications for the recruitment of foreign workers before they are submitted to the Labour Department for further process.

3. In that assessment process, PPB will consider whether the position applied for can be filled by locals or otherwise. This includes examining the localisation efforts that have been taken by the employer before applying to hire foreign workers. Only after a thorough assessment is carried out will support for the FWCL application be considered.

4. In addition, there are FWCL applications that require technical support and further verification from regulators before a decision is made. Among the regulators currently working with PPB are:

i) Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI), under the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications;
ii) Autoriti Kawalan Bangunan dan Industri Pembinaan (ABCi), Ministry of Development;
iii) Departments under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; and
iv) Beginning in 2025, the Attorney General’s Chambers, Prime Minister’s Office as the regulator for positions in law firms.

In this matter, PPB plays an important role by working closely with regulators to process applications based on the guidelines and conditions set by the regulatory agencies. This cooperation ensures that every application is processed in an orderly, transparent manner and in line with industry requirements.

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

i) Incomplete supporting documents and requiring further review or inquiry by PPB; and
ii) The need to obtain support from regulators, where the processing period is subject to the time taken by the relevant agency.

6. PPB always adopts an open approach in receiving views and feedback from various parties including private companies and local jobseekers. This is in line with PPB’s efforts to improve service effectiveness and ensure that every initiative implemented is aligned with current labour market needs.

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

8. In addition, PPB has also implemented various initiatives to strengthen the delivery of information to industry in a strategic and effective manner, among them:

i) “Maximising Your Localisation Efforts” briefing
This briefing introduces the platforms provided by PPB to help companies obtain local manpower. It also serves as a two-way discussion platform between PPB and industry, with more than 70 companies having participated since its implementation in 2024.

ii) Muzakarah Session with Companies
On 12 May 2025, a muzakarah session was held involving 26 companies in the retail sector to discuss challenges in recruiting local manpower, particularly for the position of Cashier. This session enabled PPB to understand the actual issues on the ground and subsequently formulate several support initiatives to help companies obtain local workers more effectively and competitively.

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

10. PPB also remains open to feedback and continuous improvement in policy as well as the implementation of job placement programmes, with the aim of ensuring that local citizens receive fair, comprehensive and sustainable employment opportunities, while supporting the actual workforce needs of the country through the active involvement of the private sector.

That is all that kaola can convey. Thank you.