Labour And Immigration Under Royal Scrutiny
By M K Anwar

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Labour Department and the Department of Immigration and National Registration came under close scrutiny by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei, when the monarch paid a surprise visit to these offices yesterday.

His Majesty who is always alert and totally concerned about the welfare of his people, once again was seen taking a closer look at the facilities and services at the offices, while being briefed by the relevant personnel manning the respective departments and desks.

During the tour of the offices, His Majesty and senior officials who accompanied him saw for themselves the work in progress.

They also could not help but notice piles of files and large amount of paper documents that perhaps needed computerising in this modern era. They also saw few empty counters while the public waited their turn.

Journalists, who covered the event, also noticed His Majesty making concerned inquiries from officers and staff while senior officials took down notes,, as they usually do during such visits by the monarch.

Both Departments come under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Labour Department was established in 1955 in the Belait District to manage and oversee human resources that was important to the oil industry at that time. In June of 1993, the department moved to the Immigration and National Registration building in Jalan Menteri Besar.

His Majesty first visited the Labour Department and was briefed by the Commissioner of Labour, Awang Haji Omar bin Haji Abd Rahman.

The Labour Department consisted of ten sections and its main branch in Jalan Menteri Besar has a staff of 91.

Among the sections toured by His Majesty were the Administration and Finance Department, Computer Section, Labour Licensing and Permit Section and Employment Section.

One of the main functions of the Labour Department is concerned with employment in Brunei, enforcing the rules and regulations that protect workers while ensuring that proper actions are taken on anyone abusing workers' rights.

It is estimated that in 2002, there were more than 100,000 foreign workers employed in the country with 72 per cent in the private sector alone.

His Majesty observed some of the work done by staff of the Labour Department. Respective Section Heads also briefed His Majesty about different sections that were visited.

The second department visited by His Majesty was the Immigration and National Registration Department, also located in the same building.

The department was established on July 1, 1958 after the enforcement of the 1956 Immigration Act.

Its main objectives were to control and regulate movement of foreigners as well as those staying in the Sultanate. Its National Registration Section meanwhile works to implement registration of birth and death, citizenships, identity cards and adoptions.

The Acting Director of Immigration, Hj Kassim bin Metali was at hand to brief His Majesty during the tour of the different sections.

There are currently 11 sections under the department, which includes the Work Pass Section, National Registration Section, Registration of National Section, Control Post and Statistics Section Travel Document Section and Visit Visa and Diplomatic Section.

His Majesty visited both the passport and identity card application counters and took a closer look on the processes involved.

According to statistics, in 2003, the National Registration Section issued a total of 10,133 yellow smart identity cards. A total of 65,695 yellow and 2018 purple smart IC were also issued in 2003.

The Immigration and National Registration Department have also issued about 30,000 passports to Bruneians in 2003.

The surprise visit yesterday concluded with an hour-long meeting between His Majesty and heads of department from both the Labour and Immigration and National Registration Department.

Also present throughout His Majesty's visit to the two departments were Pehin Dato Paduka Awg Hj Adanan, the Acting Minister of Home Affairs, and Pehin Dato Paduka Awg Hj Hazair, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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