PSA Staff Worry Over Job Security
By Hadi DP Mahmud

Bandar Seri Begawan - Anxious workers of PSA Muara continue to be extremely concerned about the feasibility of sustaining their jobs at the Muara port as they have not received any guarantees from the authorities on their future in the port-handling business, The Brunei Times learned yesterday.

The Ministry of Communications has stated on January 29 that through the Ports Department, necessary preparations will be and have been made to ensure the "smooth continuation of the operation of the Muara Container Terminal from April 1 onwards". Until then, all of the PSA staff, comprising of approximately 100 locals and expatriates will be left precariously clinging to the hope that they will remain employed.

According to one of the workers, who all wished to remain anonymous for fear of recriminations by the authorities, PSA had offered to provide affected local and expatriate workers recommendations for employment prospects in other ports.

However, family and financial responsibilities are holding most of the local staff back from accepting the recommendations to work overseas.

"It is impossible to leave the country in such short notice when you have two children, a wife and a mother-in-law to support at home," said a visibly distressed worker. Another 37-year-old worker metaphorically described the situation faced by PSA employees as "a rose that was plucked before it could bloom", while another one light heartedly said "I think I will be on the list of cars to be towed soon for failing to make the monthly payments."

Another worker echoed the inevitable feelings of neglect felt by his colleagues. "We feel used, we feel like we are being played around with," he said.

"You start at the bottom, work yourself up the ladder, contribute this much to the nation for six years, and then they decide to terminate you? All that effort, training and education, put to waste," he said.

Another disgruntled worker; lamented the parting of PSA and the government, saying that Brunei "was lucky to have its most important port handled by the world's best port handlers".

"We were trained and educated by PSA, most of us over the course of six years," he said, adding that "we should be considered as assets to Brunei Darussalam".

The PSA workers expressed their hopes for "the government to consider continuing their contracts, even after April 1, until the new contract comes - just to smoothen the transition". -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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