Department of public policy and administration / Pushpa Thambipillai

Includes References (pages 47) and index

Brunei Darussalam a total labour 87,000 from a population base the labour force, an estimated 45,000 are approximately 260,000. those, at least 39,000 were employed foreign workers; and the private sector which by establishments a total in 1990. the workforce of about 54,000 employment of domestic help. Foreigners are individuals and other public corporations. also employed by the government Realising its need for foreign workers, the government has adopted various policies with regard to their Brunei has not objected employment. foreign workers as enter long as country with accordance with work permits, are they hired certain stipulated quotas in sectors, and do not displace local labour. in specified The construction, sectors employ the the increased development, activities associated the dependence inere-sed. development As a in population resource, to reduce its manufacturing, trade and service largest numbers of foreign workers.with public sector on foreign labour has tl1e steadily current need for extensive sectors coupled Small Brunei cannot, in with the as the current er a aura rea the near future, hope Fortunately for Brunei, there is a steady foreign workers for the private sector - supply of semi skilled - from the mostly unskilled and ASEAN other friendly countries. neighbours as well as from Most foreign labour seems to be project oriented, especially in the construction sector, and therefore, the turnover is quite rapid. Other sectors seem to have more continuity, although workers are required to renew their work passes annually. In the case of employment pass holders in the public sector, the maximum duration is three years at the end of which the contract can be renewed.
The Labour and Immigration departments, both under the Ministry of Home Affairs, enforce the rules and regulations per taining CO the hiring of foreign workers in the private sector.The Establishment Office together with the Immigration Department regulates the employment of foreigners in the public sector, with some input from the Labour Department for certain categories of foreign workers, like the daily paid workers, employed by government institutions.