Joblessness still pains Brunei

RABIATUL KAMIT
BRUNEI-MUARA

BRUNEI continues to face unemployment troubles despite numerous vacancies in the private sector, said the home affairs minister yesterday.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman was speaking on the first day of the Second Brunei Mini Job Fair at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre in Jerudong, where 231 jobs in finance, banking and ICT are up for grabs.

The minister said just under 130 out of 608 applicants gained employment at the first Brunei Mini Job Fair in May, while there were up to 1,593 jobs being offered in the private sector.

It is claimed the dismal figures were due to jobseekers lacking the required academic qualifications or experience. The situation was exacerbated by suitably qualified applicants turning down job offers, citing unsatisfactory pay and working conditions.

The mini job fair organiser, the Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency (APTK), found that many jobseekers were looking for temporary positions, while employers needed permanent workers.

Other issues among the local workforce ranged from lack of transportation to overqualified applicants. Some were unwilling to undertake manual labour, others could not adapt to the working hours, while several were discouraged by parents or guardians.

YB Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Badaruddin admitted the mini job fair was "not 100 per cent or entirely successful".

The home affairs minister said the APTK and employers must work together to help local jobseekers find work.

"When we look around us, it's our people who are jobless. Thus, everyone should feel responsible for overcoming the issue of unemployment," he said.

The APTK and other relevant agencies were urged to actively continue searching for solutions that are realistic, proactive and innovative. "It's time we discussed salary issues and came up with incentives for local jobseekers to consider working in the private sector," said the minister.

He acknowledged that salaries in the private sector do not match job qualifications, while incentives such as housing and transportation allowances are unheard of.

"However, I would like to extend my appreciation to a number of companies in the private sector who have taken their own initiative without the government's intervention. Their local workforce is taken care of," said YB Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Badaruddin, adding that loyal, hardworking employees are promoted to senior positions alongside their expatriate counterparts.

There were a total of 3,829 registered local jobseekers last year, down from 6,158 in 2011 and 5,951 in 2010, according to statistics from the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE).

Meanwhile, at the second Brunei Mini Job Fair, 28 employers, including 24 companies in the private sector, are looking for candidates educated from O level to degree, although a number of jobs are also available for those without qualifications.

The fair will continue until tomorrow from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm.

Besides walk-in interviews, the three-day event will involve a series of briefings and a careers exhibition.

Jobseekers are advised to dress smartly and bring along relevant documents, such as copies of their identification card.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times