Bosses Urged To Give Priority For Jobs To Locals
By Izam Said Ya'akub and Syazwan Sadikin

Bandar Seri Begawan - Hire more locals, employers here were urged yesterday by the Home Affairs Minister, who pointed out that hiring foreign labour is more costly and challenging.

"Getting foreign workers is expensive, as for example, the employers must provide for the airfare and accommodation," said Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof, adding that locals are also equally qualified for certain positions in the private sector.

"At this time there are approximately 7,000 persons who are unemployed (and) 45 per cent of them have `O' Level qualifications," he pointed out.

As such, he encouraged employers to give locals with proper qualifications priority for job opportunities within the private sector. He also advised local jobseekers to try their hand at working in the private sector. He was speaking during his working visit to the Labour Department, which he found to have made satisfactory changes and reforms to streamline the processes involved with job applications.

The minister also highlighted the issue of paying foreign labourers, which some local employers fail to do.

"From an enforcement point of view there are a number of employers who have failed to pay the wages of foreign staff," he said, adding that this included foreign domestic servants as well.

He urged employers to adhere to regulations issued by the department. Previously, errant employers have been taken to court for not following the rules.

During the working visit, the minister and his delegation took the chance to meet and talk with labour officials and staff about procedures and challenges they faced in carrying out their work. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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