Titah Kebawah DYMM sempena Hari Keputeraan yang ke 71 Tahun pada 15 Julai 2017

Titah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan Dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam sempena Hari Keputeraan yang ke 71 Tahun pada hari Sabtu, 21 Syawal 1438 / 15 Julai 2017.

Assalamu'alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Alhamdulillah  Rabbil 'Alameen, Wabihiee Nasta'eenu 'Alaa Umuuriddunya Wadden, Wassalaatu' Wassalaamu 'Ala Asyarafil Mursaleen, Sayyidina Muhammaddin, Wa'alaa Aalihee Wasahbihee Ajma'een, Waba'du.

Alhamdulillah, Beta bersyukur kehadrat Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala kerana dapat pula merayakan hari keputeraan Beta pada tahun ini dalam suasana aman dan sejahtera.

Mula-mula ingin Beta merakamkan ucapan penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada para tetamu khas Beta yang sudi hadir, dan juga kepada semua pihak yang telah menyembahkan perutusan ucap selamat kepada Beta dan keluarga bersempena dengan perayaan ini.

Tiada nikmat yang sangat bernilai yang telah dan sedang dinikmati oleh Brunei Darussalam, melainkan nikmat aman, bersatu padu serta makmur. Oleh itu, semua pihak hendaklah berazam sambil memohon kepada Allah, supaya nikmat ini dikekalkan dan terus subur.

Dalam bidang pertumbuhan ekonomi, Beta gembira menyaksikan pelbagai usaha telah dan sedang dilaksanakan ke arah itu. Dua pendekatan utama sedang di fokus bagi memastikan bahawa pertumbuhan adalah benar-benar berlaku. Pendekatan pertama ialah meningkatkan Pelaburan Langsung Asing (FDI) dan kedua, menyokong serta menggalakkan pengusaha-pengusaha kecil dan sederhana untuk mampu menembusi pasaran-pasaran serantau dan antarabangsa. Dan untuk ini Beta mahu, supaya sektor awam dan swasta sama-sama berganding bahu mempertingkat daya inovasi dan kreativiti masing-masing, sehingga mampu menghasilkan produk atau perkhidmatan berkualiti.

Dalam konteks ini, pihak Berkuasa Maritim dan Pelabuhan adalah diharapkan untuk membentuk persekitaran kondusif bagi kemajuan perkapalan dan logistik sebagai usaha memenuhi keperluan import / export.

Selain itu, satu usahasama atau 'joint-venture' juga sudah dijalin antara Darussalam Assets dengan sebuah syarikat luar negara bagi mengendalikan secara profesional Pelabuhan Muara. Ini juga diyakini dapat menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi.

Di akhir-akhir ini kita wajar berbangga, dengan bertambahnya para belia tempatan yang berani muncul menceburi bidang-bidang perniagaan dan perusahaan. Bukan setakat menceburi sahaja, malah berupaya menawarkan produk-produk mereka melalui pelbagai kemudahan atau platform terkini, disamping tidak ketinggalan memanfaatkan kemudahan bangku-bangku jualan yang disediakan oleh Kerajaan.

Ini tidak syak lagi adalah satu perkembangan memberangsangkan.

Perkembangan lain, Kerajaan Beta juga, kini sedang melipatgandakan usaha untuk melengkapkan para belia dengan kemahiran-kemahiran yang bersesuaian. Ini berlaku melalui beberapa program tertentu, disamping, Unit Tenaga Manusia, Jabatan Perdana Menteri dengan kerjasama Kementerian Pendidikan, juga secara khusus, telah mengenalkan kursus berasaskan Rangka Kemahiran Industri atau Industry Competency Framework (ICF).

Bagi maksud ini, Beta telah pun memperkenankan satu inisiatif tambahan, Penubuhan Pusat Pembangunan Kapasiti (PPK), yang akan menawarkan latihan-latihan kepada anak-anak tempatan bagi melayakkan mereka menjawat pelbagai pekerjaan di sektor swasta termasuk syarikat-syarikat Pelaburan Langsung Asing.

Kita adalah menyedari, bahawa pertumbuhan ekonomi atau Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) masih dalam keadaan 'perlahan'. Oleh itu, sangat penting bagi Kementerian-Kementerian dan Jabatan-Jabatan Kerajaan mensasarkan usaha-usaha mereka ke arah mempercepatkan pertumbuhan keluaran syarikat-syarikat di bawah jagaan masing-masing, sama ada syarikat-syarikat itu milik swasta atau kerajaan, terutamanya syarikat-syarikat dari sektor bukan minyak dan gas.

Peningkatan produktiviti dijangka mampu untuk memperbaiki daya saing keluaran syarikat-syarikat, dan sekali gus membolehkan mereka menembusi pasaran export. Meneroka pasaran export oleh pengusaha-pengusaha tempatan boleh menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan KDNK dan memperbaiki kedudukan fiskal kerajaan.

Satu lagi perkembangan dan pencapaian membanggakan, ialah dalam bidang pengajian tinggi. Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) telah menempah rekod mengekalkan kedudukannya dalam ranking universiti Asian atau 'Asian QS University Rankings'.

Perlu diingat, bidang pengajian juga adalah satu pelaburan sepanjang hayat. Ia juga berstatus lambang dan suluh kehidupan. Sebab itu pendidikan tidak boleh layu atau lemah, tetapi untuk selamanya, ia perlu segar dan cemerlang.

Namun kecemerlangan itu di sini, masih saja tertakluk kepada kemampuan kita mengadakan pendidikan seimbang, ukhrawi dan duniawi. Lebih-lebih lagi sekarang, dunia sudah terbuka luas kepada budaya 'bercampur-campur', budaya baik dan budaya buruk, di mana pendidikan ukhrawi sahaja yang mampu untuk membezakan antara dua budaya ini untuk kita membuat pilihan. Kerana itu pendidikan Islam sangatlah perlu untuk lebih mantap dan menyerlah.

Dalam amalan antarabangsa, kita akan terus memupuk dan mempertingkatkan kerjasama dengan negara-negara sahabat, sama ada melalui hubungan biasa mahupun melalui keahlian kita dalam pertumbuhan-pertumbuhan serantau dan antarabangsa.

Dalam era yang tidak menentu ini, persahabatan antara negara-negara di dunia adalah perlu wujud dan berkekalan. Kerana jika tidak, inilah punca keamanan boleh tergugat, di mana kita selaku negara dan orang Islam, sepatutnya lebih memahami perkara ini, berdasarkan, ugama Islam sendiri telah menganjurkan hidup berbaik-baik dengan siapa saja, dan khusus bagi sesama Islam pula, kita telah pun diajar untuk tidak memutuskan tali silatur rahim.

Akhirnya, Beta dengan tulus ikhlas merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan dan ucapan terima kasih kepada seluruh lapisan rakyat dan penduduk, warga Perkhidmatan Awam, Pasukan-Pasukan Keselamatan serta mereka yang  berkhidmat di sektor swasta, termasuk mereka yang bertugas di luar negara di atas sumbangan dan sokongan mereka kepada Kerajaan Beta.

Penghargaan yang setinggi-tingginya juga disampaikan kepada seluruh Ahli Jawatankuasa Perayaan di kedua peringkat kebangsaan dan daerah, atas segala khidmat mereka menjayakan Perayaan ini.

Beta berdo'a semoga kita semua serta Negara Brunei Darussalam akan senantiasa kekal aman dan makmur, dikurniakan rahmat dan perlindungan oleh Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala. Amin.

Sekian, Wabillahit Taufeq Walhidayah,  Wassalamu 'Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Life after foreign labour: Why Brunei needs to get to work

Brunei’s economic growth has been one of Southeast Asia’s biggest success stories. Skilled foreign labour has driven this boom.

By John Pennington, edited by Francesca Ross

The clock is ticking for Brunei Darussalam. Gas and oil exports will not sustain their wealth forever. The economy has to be pushed to diversify or it will remain in a downward spiral.

Brunei’s GDP growth rate fell by 3.6% as of January 2017 thanks to dips in economic output in all areas. The government needs to focus on recovery but is concerned by the potential of foreign workers to disrupt this and heavily regulates their labour. As much as 40% of the workforce is recruited from overseas. Penalties for foreign workers who outstay their visas or commit crimes are severe.

Foreign workers take on low-skilled, low-paid work in the private sector, including retail and service jobs. Construction is the biggest sector employing migrants. The majority of foreign recruits come from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. Meanwhile, many Bruneians take on well-paid work in the public sector.

Brunei values its foreign labour force even if it is trying to regulate it

The Brunei administration does seem to understand that foreign workers will be required to keep the country moving. It does not want to force them out entirely or scare them away. Recent developments are helping companies employ people more carefully, but also more efficiently.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced plans to speed up the processing period for obtaining working credentials. “Under this new policy process, the application will be shortened from 41 working days to nine and it will reduce the processing procedures to seven from the previous 12.” Haji Idris bin Haji Ali, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, said.

The security deposits that employers must pay to take on foreign workers have been reduced by the authorities. Employers recruiting workers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam now pay 25% less than they did, from US$ 900 to US$ 700. Companies have extra flexibility when paying.

The country also recognises the importance of commuting workers. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib recently confirmed that the amount of checks commuters from Sabah and Sarawak have to go through on a regular basis was being reviewed.

Diversification of the economy is essential for Brunei’s future

The problem for Brunei is not in the number of foreign workers it employs. This is a symptom. The cause is economic stagnation.

Brunei is the third-largest producer of oil in Southeast Asia and the third-biggest producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) among ASEAN nations. The country’s economy is not exclusively reliant on gas and oil-related products, but they account for 95% of exports and are vital for growth.

Oil reserves are projected to run out by 2038 and the government has worked hard to diversify the economy. Projects have been put in place to develop opportunities in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and banking, but progress has not been easy.

Brunei’s economy took a hit when global oil prices dropped and production slowed. A shrinking economy replaced a slow-growing one. The government must now get the nation moving in the right direction again. They could do so by freezing public sector wages, cutting fuel subsidies and abandoning some major public projects, said the International Monetary Fund.

The government wants more locals to take on jobs

New reforms to employment rules intended to create local growth mean companies are expected to employ locals wherever possible. Work permits for foreign workers are only issued for short periods of time and must be continually renewed.

The problem, say entrepreneurs, is that Brunei citizens are unwilling to take on low-paid, unskilled work. This is a knock-on effect of companies opting to employ foreign workers.

“We fully support locals but it is difficult to get them to come in.” said one restaurant owner. “Out of 100 local applicants, only a few will take up jobs and in the end, we would be lucky if one or two stay.” he added.

Diversification is essential, but it will take time

Brunei’s geographic and political circumstances mean it cannot diversify its economy like some of its fellow ASEAN nations. Little can be grown in a rainforest and it will never compete with the likes of Malaysia and Thailand as a holiday destination.

Lengthy contracts to supply Asian countries with LNG are helpful and plans to drill for more reserves should be carefully and strategically managed. Diversification in the long term is essential when oil reserves will not last forever.

Wawasan Brunei 2035, the vision for a drastic overhaul of Brunei’s economy and society was supposed to tackle these issues and give young people new skills. Initial education reform targets were hit and the next stage, designed specifically to reduce Brunei’s reliance on foreign workers in the oil industry, is due to finish this year.

Does Brunei have its short-term and long-term goals mixed up?

Growth in Brunei has stagnated and higher levels of local employment would go some way to kickstarting new opportunities. Overseas workers bleed money from the economy by sending their wages back home. If this money could be kept locally then it would foster new business and the wider economy.

The question of why so many foreign workers are needed could be turned on its head: Why are Bruneians not yet ready to take on this work and boost the economy? Does the Wawasan Brunei 2035 need a reboot?

Brunei must ensure they have the right people for the job, regardless of whether they are local or not, while they have the luxury of plentiful oil reserves. Rigidly policing immigration is unlikely to be the right answer in the short term.


Sumber - ASEAN Today

Sidang MMN ditangguh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 20 Mac – Mesyuarat Pertama dari Musim Permesyuaratan ke-13 Majlis Mesyuarat Negara (MMN) menamatkan sidangnya hari ini selepas 11 hari bersidang dan seterusnya ditangguhkan ke satu tarikh yang belum ditetapkan.

Majlis turut meluluskan sebulat suara peruntukan belanjawan negara berjumlah $5.3 bilion bagi tahun kewangan 2017/2018 yang akan berkuat kuasa pada April ini. Yang Di-Pertua MMN, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib (gambar atas)  dalam ucapan penangguhan Persidangan MMN hari ini berkata, dalam melihat keadaan ekonomi yang mencabar sekarang, kita perlu melipatgandakan usaha dan haruslah berwaspada terutamanya terhadap harga minyak dunia yang tidak stabil umpamanya.

Dalam hubungan itu, beliau menyeru ahli-ahli MMN agar bekerjasama secara berpasukan untuk terus giat memikirkan dalam mempelbagaikan ekonomi Negara.

Sementara itu, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan II, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim dalam ucapan penangguhannya pula berkata, dalam keadaan ekonomi negara yang terus mengalami cabaran harga minyak dan gas yang rendah, salah satu keutamaan kerajaan dalam jangka masa pendek ini ialah untuk mencapai keseimbangan fiskal.

Ke arah itu, dalam pengurusan kewangannya, kerajaan akan terus mengamalkan dasar perbelanjaan berhemah (prudent spending) dan seterusnya memastikan perbelanjaan-perbelanjaan kerajaan akan memberikan manfaat dan impak yang optimum kepada seluruh masyarakat di negara ini.

“Dalam Pembentangan Cadangan Belanjawan Tahun 2017/2018, kita telah menggariskan fokus-fokus utama perbelanjaan kerajaan yang antaranya termasuk untuk mendukung dasar mempelbagaikan ekonomi negara, meningkatkan tahap pendidikan dan kemahiran rakyat dan penduduk.

“Ini kerana, sektor swasta yang kukuh akan bertindak menjadi jentera peneraju pertumbuhan ekonomi yang diharapkan akan dapat menyumbang kepada peningkatan pelaburan modal (capital formation) dan akan menjana lebih banyak peluang-peluang pekerjaan yang berkualiti kepada anak-anak tempatan.

“Selaras dengan perancangan dan keperluan inilah jua, kerajaan telah menyediakan peruntukan yang diperlukan, walaupun diunjurkan akan terus mengalami kedudukan defisit bagi tahun kewangan 2016/2017 dan tahun kewangan yang akan datang (2017/2018),” jelas beliau.

Yang Berhormat Pehin berkata, dalam perkara ini, seperti di tahun-tahun sebelumnya, beliau masih lagi berharap dan tertunggu-tunggu untuk mendengar lebih banyak cadangan dan saranan bernilai tambah daripada ahli-ahli MMN berhubung kait dengan cara kita untuk mengawal situasi defisit pada masa ini, sama ada dari segi meningkatkan hasil, mahupun mengurangkan perbelanjaan kerajaan.

Katanya, di situ letaknya peranan semua pihak untuk bersatu padu dan bersatu hati, sebagai pendekatan “Whole of Nation,” untuk sama-sama membantu kerajaan dalam meringankan beban daripada kemelut ekonomi berkenaan.

Beliau berkata, kerajaan terus menyediakan beberapa keperluan asas seperti bekalan elektrik, bekalan air dan perumahan di mana kebanyakan kemudahan dan keperluan asas itu telah dihulurkan oleh kerajaan secara subsidi, di mana perbelanjaan sebenar kerajaan adalah lebih tinggi daripada bayaran yang dikenakan kepada penerima atau pengguna.

Namun demikian, jumlah tunggakan daripada pengguna-pengguna yang terdiri daripada pihak swasta dan orang ramai kepada agensi-agensi kerajaan masih juga tinggi di mana setakat ini, keseluruhannya adalah berjumlah kira-kira $461 juta.

Beliau percaya tunggakan itu, jika dilunaskan, akan dapat juga meringankan tanggungan perbelanjaan kerajaan dalam menampung keperluan operasi pemberian perkhidmatan tersebut, serta meningkatkan lagi tahap perkhidmatan tersebut mengikut keperluan semasa.

Dalam hubungan itu, beliau menyatakan harapan supaya ahli-ahli MMN dapat sama-sama membawa ke perhatian anak buah dan komuniti masing-masing mengenai pentingnya tuntutan-tuntutan perkhidmatan kerajaan untuk dilunaskan dalam masa yang ditetapkan, semata-mata bagi keperluan bersama.

Yang Berhormat Pehin semasa membentangkan Rang Anggaran Belanjawan Negara Tahun Kewangan 2017/2018, juga telah mengongsi mengenai perubahan kepada cukai kastam ke atas beberapa jenis barangan berkuat kuasa mulai 1 April nanti.

Beliau menerangkan bahawa penelitian dan pengemaskinian kadar-kadar cukai eksais itu bertujuan untuk mencapai beberapa matlamat dalam meningkatkan sosioekonomi rakyat dan penduduk negara.

“Antara matlamat tersebut termasuklah bagi mengurangkan beban perbelanjaan bagi golongan berpendapatan rendah, meningkatkan keselamatan bagi pengguna- pengguna jalan raya, menggalakkan permintaan domestik,mengawal penggunaan produk-produk tertentu yang boleh menjejaskan kesihatan awam,mengurangkan kos perniagaan dan lain-lain.”

Pada masa yang sama, Yang Berhormat Pehin menyeru para peniaga untuk tidak mengambil kesempatan untuk mengaut keuntungan yang lebih tinggi dengan menetapkan harga barangan yang tidak selaras dengan perubahan kadar cukai eksais yang dikenakan.

“Jika perkara sedemikian didapati berlaku, pihak kerajaan melalui agensi-agensi berkenaan tidak akan teragak-agak untuk mengambil tindakan yang sewajarnya,” tegas beliau lagi.


Sumber - Media Permata

Pusat pekerjaan Brunei ditubuhkan

Oleh Syahmi Hassan

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 27 Nov – Bagi mengurangkan kadar pengangguran di Negara Brunei Darussalam, Pusat Pekerjaan Brunei (Job Centre Brunei) akan ditubuhkan sebagai pengganti Agensi Pekerjaan Tempatan dan Pembangunan Tenaga Kerja (APTK) yang bakal ditempatkan di Kampung Beribi, Gadong, mulai Disember depan.

Penubuhan pusat berkenaan telah diumumkan oleh Menteri Tenaga dan Perindustrian di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Kolonel (B) Dato Seri Setia (Dr.) Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar semasa berucap pada Majlis Perasmian Pesta Kerjaya Brunei 2016 di BRIDEX, Jerudong, hari ini.

Yang Berhormat Pehin seterusnya menjelaskan, penubuhan pusat berkenaan merupakan tindakan dalam masa jangka pendek pihak kerajaan, di mana dengan adanya pusat tersebut, data-data yang berkaitan dengan peluang pekerjaan dan profil para pencari kerja yang telah dikumpulkan sebelum ini berserta maklumat yang baru adalah diselaraskan dalam pangkalan data Pusat Pekerjaan Brunei yang sedia ada.

Pusat itu akan menjadi ‘one-stop shop’, di mana ia akan menjadi tempat bagi pendaftaran para pencari kerja, mempamerkan pangkalan data kerja-kerja kosong dan juga membantu pencari-pencari kerja memperbaiki peluang mereka untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan.

Menurut beliau lagi, para pencari kerja yang tidak mempunyai komputer boleh mengunjungi pusat berkenaan untuk mendaftar kursus-kursus pembangunan kapasiti bagi meningkatkan kemahiran. Pusat tersebut juga boleh diakses 24 jam, tujuh hari seminggu melalui portal dalam talian.

Para pencari kerja bolehlah meneliti peluang-peluang kerja secara online serta mendaftar bagi program-program ‘upskilling’ untuk meningkatkan kemahiran dan kompetensi masing-masing.

Syarikat-syarikat juga dapat mengakses calon-calon pekerja melalui portal dalam talian berkenaan.

Dalam temu bual bersama media, Yang Berhormat Pehin telah menjelaskan bahawa pangkalan data berkenaan akan memadankan peluang pekerjaan yang paling dekat untuk pencari kerja dan pada masa yang sama juga Pusat Pekerjaan Brunei akan melihat pencari kerja secara menyeluruh.

Menurut beliau, pusat berkenaan akan dikendalikan di bawah Majlis Perancangan Tenaga Manusia.

Mengulas mengenai APTK, Yang Berhormat Pehin berkata bahawa agensi berkenaan telah dibubarkan dan Pusat Pekerjaan Brunei akan menguruskan semua urusan yang dibuat oleh APTK dahulu. Katanya lagi, pusat berkenaan akan beroperasi sepenuhnya pada Januari tahun depan.


Sumber- Media Permata

‘More than 100,000 foreigners working in Brunei’

Khai Zem Mat Sani 
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 

THE number of foreign workers staying in Brunei remains over 100,000 with a majority of them employed under the private sector, said the acting commissioner of the Department of Labour yesterday.

Hj Shariful-Bahri Hj Sawas said that there are currently more than 100,000 foreign nationals working in Brunei and that many of them are working in the construction sector.

“Construction industry is the biggest sector that employs foreign workers,” he said.

Hj Shariful-Bahri said that more than 90,000 foreigners are currently employed by the private sector.

The remaining amount comprises mostly of domestic workers, he said.

The acting commissioner said that most of the foreign workers come from neighboring countries, as well as South Asia.

“The top ranking countries are Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. For the past years, more foreigners are coming from India and Bangladesh,” said Hj Shariful-Bahri.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Brunei Darussalam looks to sustain agricultural growth

Rising productivity and higher output from the processing segment is keeping Brunei Darussalam’s agriculture sector on track to meet the government’s medium- and long-term goals.

Strong performance in most areas of the agriculture and agri-foods sector saw the industry’s revenue rise by 6.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the first quarter of the year to reach BN$97.1m ($71.2m), according to data issued by the Department of Agriculture and Agri-food (DAA) in late July. This came despite dry weather conditions, which impacted the production of rice, vegetables and cut flowers.

Growth was supported in large part by double-digit growth in the livestock and processed agricultural products segments. Livestock output was up 14.1% y-o-y at BN$6.9m ($5.1m), while processed agricultural goods expanded by 16.9% over the same period, bringing the agri-food segment’s earnings to BN$28m ($20.5m).

By contrast, the broader economy expanded by 3.6% y-o-y in the first three months of the year, the Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam reported at the end of July.

Long-term plan for value-added growth

In its long-term development plan, Wawasan Brunei 2035, the government has set a target of boosting agricultural output to BN$1bn (733.3m) by 2020 and BN$3.9bn ($2.9bn) by 2035 – almost 11 times the sector’s contribution to GDP last year.

While ambitious, the last five years have already seen significant progress in agricultural development. Gross agricultural output increased from BN$230m ($168.6m) in 2010 to BN$366m ($268.4m) last year.

Future growth is expected to be fuelled by a combination of improved technology, higher levels of foreign direct investment in the sector, the use of high-yield crop varieties and the expansion of the downstream value-added component.

Boosting value addition should take on greater importance in the coming years if Brunei Darussalam it to reach its ambitious agricultural targets. With relatively limited land available for agricultural purposes, and the increasing encroachment of built-up areas into farming districts, the Sultanate will have to create more value from the land it has.

The whole country is approximately 577,000 ha in size, with only 7193 ha in use for agriculture as of 2013, according to the most recent figures from the DAA.

Halal niche

A key avenue for bringing in investment and increasing value addition in agricultural production is the Sultanate’s burgeoning halal segment, which feeds into the growing focus on processed foods.

In March of last year Brunei Darussalam invited investors from countries such as China and the UK to take part in a $300m halal industry park, known as the Bio-Innovation Corridor, located north-west of the capital Bandar Seri Begawan.

Led by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, the 500-ha park aims to transform Brunei Darussalam into a regionally and internationally recognised destination for halal industries.

The worldwide halal food market is worth an estimated $1.1trn, according to a study by Thomson Reuters, and is considered one of the fastest food segments in the world.

Growing youth

While specialisation in value-added niches such as halal could go some way towards achieving the government’s goals, a dwindling workforce in rural areas presents something of a challenge.

According to the most recent Labour Force Survey conducted by the Department of Economic Planning and Development, out of a population of 411,900, and a total labour force of 203,600, the percentage working in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector was around 0.6% in 2014.

As young Bruneians increasingly opt for professions in urban centres, the ageing of the rural workforce also presents productivity challenges, according to Suria Zanuddin, the head of the agricultural extension division at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.

“We try to involve and recruit young farmers as most of our current farmers are now ageing,” she told local media at the end of May.

The government is stepping up efforts to reverse the flow of young Bruneians into urban centres by expanding educational programmes and promoting the business opportunities of the agriculture sector through training courses.

At the Rice Farmer Field School, for example, close to 300 paddy farmers have been trained since the programme was founded in 2010.

While the expected increase in technology in the agriculture industry could help ease some of the workforce requirements, primary production is likely to remain a labour-intensive industry, meaning that government efforts to promote farming as an attractive and viable career path will be crucial to developing both food security and the broader sustainability of the sector.


Sumber - Oxford Business Group

18,000 dalam pekerjaan tidak formal di Brunei

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 20 Mei – Bilangan orang yang bekerja dalam pekerjaan tidak formal di Brunei Darussalam dianggarkan 18,000 dan usaha memformalkan mereka yang bekerja dalam pekerjaan tidak formal di negara ini adalah digalakkan menerusi meluaskan rangkaian keselamatan sosial, usaha memulakan perniagaan, peningkatan perkhidmatan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan perkongsian swasta dan awam.

Ini dinyatakan oleh Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr.) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong pada Sesi ke-24 Mesyuarat Menteri-menteri Buruh ASEAN dan Mesyuarat Campur Tiga Menteri-menteri Buruh ASEAN ke-9 di Vientiane, Laos baru-baru ini.

Pada mesyuarat itu, para Menteri ASEAN yang menyelia buruh dan pekerjaan telah mengkaji semula dan bersetuju untuk meningkatkan kegiatan pada masa hadapan untuk melanjutkan lagi kerjasama teknikal buruh antara negara-negara anggota ASEAN.

Para Menteri Buruh ASEAN telah menyokong beberapa rancangan kerja bekerjasama dilaksanakan antara tahun 2016 dan 2020 bagi Jawatankuasa ASEAN Pelaksanaan Deklarasi Perlindungan dan Penggalakan Hak-hak Pekerja Penghijrah (ACMW) ASEAN, dan Kumpulan Kerja SLOM berhubung Amalan Progresif Buruh untuk meningkatkan persaingan ASEAN (SLOM-WG).

Inisiatif program kerja baru menyeluruh juga dibentuk bagi Menteri-menteri Buruh ASEAN dengan matlamat merealisasikan Komuniti Bersepadu ASEAN menjelang 2025.

Yang Berhormat Pehin bergambar ramai bersama delegasi Brunei yang menghadiri mesyuarat berkenaan di Vientiene, Laos

Pada mesyuarat yang bermula pada 15 Mei itu, para menteri bersetuju untuk menyokong “Deklarasi Vientiane bagi Peralihan daripada Pekerjaan Tidak Formal kepada Pekerjaan Formal ke arah Galakan Pekerjaan Yang Memuaskan di ASEAN.”

Deklarasi Vientiane dijangka dikemukakan kepada Sidang Mesyuarat ASEAN ke-28 di Kerajaan Republik Demokratik Rakyat Laos pada bulan September 2016 bagi pembentukannya.

Menteri Buruh dan Kebajikan Sosial Kerajaan Republik Demokratik Rakyat Lao, Dr Khamphaeng Xaysomphaeng yang mempengerusikan mesyuarat itu, melahirkan penghargaannya di atas sokongan yang diberikan oleh rakan sejawatan beliau dari ASEAN sementara juga menekankan pentingnya mesyuarat itu dalam mengkaji semula kemajuan kerjasama buruh antara negara-negara anggota ASEAN.

Menteri Buruh ASEAN juga membincangkan kemajuan yang dicapai dan juga cabaran yang masih dipertimbangkan, draf instrumen ASEAN bagi perlindungan dan penggalakan hak-hak pekerja penghijrah.

Pada mesyuarat itu para menteri bersetuju bahawa had akhir baru bagi memuktamadkan instrumen draf ialah April 2017.

Juga hadir pada mesyuarat itu ialah menteri-menteri dan timbalan-timbalan menteri dari Republik Rakyat China, Jepun dan Republik Korea.

Delegasi Brunei termasuklah Setiausaha Tetap di Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, Haji Mohd ‘Abdoh bin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Salam; Duta Brunei Darussalam ke Republik Demokratik Rakyat Laos, Tuan Yang Terutama Haji Na’aim bin Mohd Salleh; Pemangku Pesuruhjaya Buruh, Haji Rani bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof dan juga para pegawai kanan dari Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri dan Jabatan Buruh.


Sumber - Media Permata

Saudi plans new scheme to reduce unemployment

RIYADH 

SAUDI Arabia’s government plans a new set of labour quotas and incentives to reduce unemployment as it tries to wean its economy off oil exports, Labour Minister Mufrej al-Haqbani said yesterday.

The changes are part of a wider reform plan announced last week by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and reflect the difficulties the kingdom has faced for years in creating jobs for Saudi nationals.

“There is no doubt that unemployment is a looming spectre and we will take all measures, whether job creation, job substitution or even, if required, increasing the Saudisation target,” Haqbani told Reuters in an interview.

He was referring to the possibility of restricting certain jobs to Saudis and pressing companies to employ higher ratios of Saudis to foreign workers.

Cutting the jobless rate to seven per cent by 2030, and raising women’s participation in the labour force to 30 per cent from 22 per cent, are among a raft of targets in Prince Mohammed’s reform plan.

Under a government programme called Nitaquat (Categories), launched in 2011, companies are already encouraged to hire Saudis rather than cheaper foreign workers. Firms employing high ratios of Saudis receive preferential treatment from the labour ministry in processing work permits.

The scheme has had only limited success, however. The official unemployment rate among Saudis is 11.6 per cent and net employment of Saudis rose by only 49,000 in 2015, its slowest increase since records began in 1999, as the government cut spending because of low oil prices.

Haqbani said the government was ready to intervene on both the supply and the demand sides of the labour market. “We expect we will need from 1.1 million to 1.3 million jobs to reduce the unemployment rate to seven per cent.”

He said the government planned a new form of Nitaquat that would not focus merely on the numbers of Saudis hired but also on factors such as women’s employment, the average pay of Saudis, the ratio of the wages of Saudis to non-Saudis, and the sustainability of jobs occupied by local citizens.

“The new Nitaquat is not quantitative, based on the number of Saudis, but it will include other variables... We will announce it in two to three weeks, and it will be into effect within five months,” Haqbani said.

About 10 million foreigners are working in Saudi Arabia, doing many of the strenuous, dangerous and lower-paid jobs shunned by the 20 million local citizens. About two-thirds of Saudi workers are employed by the public sector.

But in recent months, the officials behind the economic reform drive have made it clear that they want the focus of job creation for Saudis to be in the private sector, as the government restrains its spending in an era of cheap oil.

“There are no exceptions from the Nitaquat for any sector, but the quotas are lower for some sectors according to their conditions,” Haqbani said.

“Retailing, for example, will be required to hire a bigger number of Saudis, while the construction sector doesn’t have this capability.”

The new form of Nitaquat could mean fresh pressure on the finances of private sector companies, which have complained of the cost of meeting the quotas. Some say they have found it impossible to find enough qualified Saudis, so they have simply recorded “ghost workers”on their books while continuing to employ large numbers of foreigners.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Brunei faces ageing population by 2030

Photo shows a member of the public registering for the Brunei Darussalam Healthcare
Information and Management System (BRU-HIMS) at the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in 2012.
A UNDP report urged Brunei to create jobs, channel savings into investments and encourage
more female participation as the country moves toward an ageing population in 2030.

Darren Chin
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE United Nations has urged Brunei to create jobs, channel savings into investments and encourage more female participation as the sultanate moves toward an ageing population in 2030.

In the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Asia-Pacific Regional Human Development Report 2016 released earlier this week, Brunei was placed “in the middle of transition” bracket when it came to population demographics.

The report said Brunei, as part of Southeast Asia, will continue to see a large jump in the working-age population until 2030, after which the increase will slowly dissipate and move towards an ageing population as currently seen in countries such as Japan, China and Singapore.

The UN said Brunei needs to take action to make the most of the opportunity for growth in the changing population demographic.

“The region of Southeast Asia as a whole is expected to increase its working-age population by 10 per cent between 2015 and 2030, but only 0.4 per cent between 2030 and 2050,” it said.

“Countries will need to provide enough decent work, stimulate and manage their economies so that growth is inclusive, aligned with human development, expand the scope for savings and ensure people have capabilities, opportunities and freedoms to progress their lives,” it said.

The UN report called for the prioritising of job creation to maximise the outcome of the shift in demographics for countries in the middle bracket such as Brunei headed for an ageing population.

“The time has come to make job creation central to national development strategies, with a strong emphasis on protecting workers’ rights and policy measures to encourage small and medium enterprises.

“Structural transformation of the economy is also needed, to more productive activities, which would open new opportunities for people to find better work and prepare for the time when fewer numbers of workers will be needed to produce more to sustain development for an ageing population,” it added.

Latest statistics from the Department of Economic Planning and Development show that the population currently stands at 411,900 with males making up 51.8 per cent of the population.

The working-age population, citizens aged 15 to 59, make up 69.1 per cent of the population while children under 14 years old and senior citizens above the age of 60 account for 24.1 and 6.8 per cent of the population, respectively.

Statistics in the report projected that Brunei’s population will be around 500,000 people by 2030.

The UN report also advised Brunei as a country in the midst of a demographic transition to prepare for the financial requirements of sustaining development in the future.

“There is a need to widen the availability of financial instruments for investing in savings and one important avenue could be developing bond markets which are potentially a valuable source of income for municipalities aiming to keep up with rapid urbanisation and infrastructure expansion,” it said.

The report also called for action to ensure women are equal contributors to development as the demographic shifts towards an advanced stage when the population is evenly distributed across age groups. “Many women are spending disproportionate time on domestic caregiving, undercutting opportunities to generate an income and policies designed to ensure equal pay, rights for women, work and public safety will be critical for fully realising demographic dividends.

“Women also need to be full participants in political and economic decision-making, otherwise there will be a lower likelihood that policies and plans will fully support their capabilities and contributions to development,” the UN Development Programme added.

Statistics in the report show that Bruneian men currently earn nearly twice as much gross national income per capita ($121,353) than their female counterparts ($72,766).


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Lebih 10,000 masih menganggur

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 9 Mac – Sehingga bulan Januari 2016, bilangan pencari kerja dalam kalangan penduduk tempatan (rakyat dan penduduk tetap) berumur 18 hingga 59 tahun, ialah seramai 10,714 orang.

Jabatan Perancangan dan Kemajuan Ekonomi (JPKE) dalam satu kenyataan di sini hari ini berkata, petunjuk pasaran tenaga kerja bagi Januari 2016 mendapati bilangan pencarum baru yang berdaftar di Tabung Amanah Pekerja (TAP) ialah seramai 558 orang, terdiri daripada 108 orang yang bekerja di sektor kerajaan dan 450 orang di sektor swasta.

Secara keseluruhan, jumlah pencarum yang baru berdaftar di TAP dari bulan Januari 2015 hingga Januari 2016 ialah seramai 7,358 orang.

Seramai 414 orang baru mendaftar sebagai pencari kerja di Agensi Pekerjaan Tempatan dan Pembangunan Tenaga Kerja (APTK), Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri.

Menurut JPKE, Pihak kerajaan telah melaksanakan beberapa inisiatif bagi meningkatkan penyertaan anak-anak tempatan dalam pasaran kerja di negara ini khususnya di sektor swasta, melalui dua pendekatan.

Pendekatan tersebut ialah meningkatkan tahap pengetahuan dan kemahiran anak tempatan lepasan peringkat ‘O’ dan ‘A’ dengan memberikan biasiswa atau latihan seperti Skim Biasiswa Khas, Skim Biasiswa Pendidikan Teknikal dan Vokasional di Institusi Pengajian Swasta Dalam Negeri (BPTV), Skim Biasiswa Pendidikan Teknikal dan Vokasional bagi Program Energy Industry Competency Framework (BPTV-EICF),dan Skim Latihan dan Pekerjaan (SLP).

Serta memberikan lebih banyak peluang-peluang pekerjaan kepada anak tempatan melalui pengurangan kuota pengambilan pekerja asing yang berkemahiran rendah

Sebarang pertanyaan mengenai Perangkaan Pencari Kerja Tempatan ini bolehlah menghubungi talian 2230250 atau 2233344 atau melayari laman web www.depd.gov.bn.


Sumber - Media Permata

Malaysia's Petronas to cut 1,000 jobs; reports fourth-quarter loss of 4.69 billion ringgit

Petronas reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $1.6 billion

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - Malaysian state energy firm Petronas said Tuesday (March 1) it expects to cut about 1,000 jobs as it struggles with plunging global oil prices that have hammered the energy-dependent country.

The company, the single largest source of Malaysian government revenue and national export earnings, said the layoffs would take place over the next six months.

"Exhaustive efforts are ongoing to redeploy affected employees," the company said in a statement.

On Monday (Feb 29) Petronas reported a fourth-quarter net loss of 4.69 billion ringgit (S$1.6 billion).

The unlisted Petronas, Malaysia's only Fortune 500 company, also announced cuts in capital and operating spending of 50 billion ringgit over the next four years, starting with 15 to 20 billion in 2016.

Petronas is not the only firm to suffer from sinking prices of oil and other commodities, which have battered Malaysia's growth prospects.

Sime Darby Bhd, the world's biggest listed palm oil producer, last Wednesday (Feb 24) announced a 38 per cent plunge in second-quarter profit due to weak commodity prices and China's slowdown.

Full-year growth for Malaysia in 2015 was at five per cent, down from six per cent in 2014.

The government now expects economic growth of 4 to 4.5 per cent this year, down from an earlier projection of five per cent.


Sumber - The Straits Times

Minimum wage issue remains on back burner

BT Reporters
Brunei-Muara

MINIMUM wage seems to be a touchy subject among the public with both government and private sector institutions opting to put it aside rather than deal with it once and for all.

The subject cropped up way back in 2010, changed hands over two ministers and six years later, none seem to be the wiser on this subject.

In April 2015, the Department of Labour said there is no specific law governing minimum wage in Brunei that applies to local or foreign workers, and wages are normally set by mutual agreement (offer and acceptance) between employers and employees.

Meanwhile, Rozan Yunos in his blog The Daily Brunei Resources said that relations between employers and employees in Brunei are generally good with labour disputes being rare, despite there being no minimum wage legislation.

It was previously reported that in the private sector, the most common argument against having a minimum wage is that it might to impede business growth, especially among small enterprises.

A local restaurateur (who wished to remain anonymous) said that costs for him would increase, if his employees qualified for a minimum wage.

“As a small business that does not make much, I would have three choices.

“One, to downsize my business and move to a smaller place; two, to increase my prices; and if increasing prices pushed customers away, my other option would be to close down,” the restaurateur said.

Hazeerah Hj Othman, a private school teacher, said that the development of the country had to be considered, when discussing minimum wage.

“The economic implications could be serious, and the government has to decide if it is willing to bear these implications. If a minimum wage is set at a point where businesses do not see a viable profit because of higher employment costs, they will not invest,” she said.

Hazeerah said all businesses would be more than likely to adapt and push costs onto consumers with higher prices if minimum wage is in place.

“So in this way, society is still affected as a whole,” she said.

To paint a better picture of earnings within the private sector, The Brunei Times interviewed an array of low-income earners — both local and foreign.

A security guard from J-Guard security services company said he and his colleagues were currently earning $500 a month for eight-hour work shifts.

Sometimes, they would work overtime for extra money, which is about two dollars an hour, he said.

“For those who are still single and have no family to support, what we currently earn is fine, and reasonable but for those with families to support, it is not enough.

“They have to pay for the car, fuel, food and clothing for their families and themselves, among other things, so $500 a month is simply not enough for a family breadwinner,” he said.

Bibi, who is an employee at a supermarket in Gadong, said that her monthly pay of $433 was spent primarily on paying for her car and petrol, as well as food.

Although she stays at her parents' house and does not have to spend any of her monthly income on housing expenses, the sales assistant said she still does not have anything left to save at the end of each month.

On the foreign labour side, an Indonesian maid who just wants to be identified as Nurbaya, said that although she likes her job here and her employer is kind, she may not renew her contract in June. She requested for an increase under the new contract for the next two years, but her employer has yet to give a response.

Under her first contract from 2011 to 2013 she received a monthly payment of $280. The employer then raised it to $320 in her second contract. As per her own request, she said, she only collects her salaries every five or six month from her employer. To give example, every five month she will ask for $1,000 or so and sends the money home.

“I don’t send the money every month because I want to save the money used for transaction fee which is required in every time we use the remittance services,” she said.

An Indonesian national labourer at a newly-constructed school said his current daily wage of $18 is just enough for him but would not be enough for a married man.

The 25-year-old spends almost half of his monthly income to support his family in Indonesia while he spends the leftovers for his needs, such as food and toiletries.

He believes local construction workers will struggle if they are working in the construction industry as they will have more responsibilities in the country.

“Minimum wage is important for the locals here because they will have families and other responsibilities so they will need more income, especially for their hard work in supporting their families,” he said.

The necessity for a minimum wage is not really felt in the public sector as its salary packages are set on a pay grade but within the private sector, a defined salary scale could possibly attract more locals to the fore.

In 2014 the Home Affairs ministry’s introduced the ‘Fair package’ paper which addresses the low wages of local employees and differences in benefits packages for local and foreign staff, proposes to balance out the differences.

It was said that local private sector employees will be able to earn and enjoy the same benefits that their foreign counterparts get if stakeholders and employers adapt the paper. To date, very little has been made public to that effect.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Nearly 40% UNISSA graduates still unemployed: statistics

Ak Md Khairuddin Pg Harun
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

NEARLY 40 per cent of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) bachelor’s degree graduates from 2011 and 2014 are still unemployed, according to the latest statistics from the university’s Academic Registrar’s Office.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, the Islamic university’s Acting Academic Registrar, Hayattuddin Hj Moksin, said the figure was gathered at the end of last year to determine the number of the institution’s unemployed graduates.

For the period from 2011 and 2014, the Islamic university has produced a total of 348 bachelor’s degree graduates. Of the total, 146 are employed, 73 are continuing their studies and the rest are still unemployed.

Hayattuddin said the university is in the process of providing more workshops and practical courses to enhance the career marketability of the students. “This year we want our undergraduates to undergo work experience at various government departments to expose them to the working environment during their third year. For those taking Usuluddin, they will work at Islamic Da’wah Centre, while those taking syariah and law will work at law firms or the magistrates’ courts,” he said.

“We are planning to get feedback from departments and companies that our graduates are currently working for. We also found that job seekers (unemployed) from our university applied for attachment programmes at various government departments and private sectors. This feedback will hopefully help us provide the best courses that is of high demand in the market,” he said.

“We want to tell the members of the public that UNISSA graduates possess similar English language skills and competencies with other foreign and local universities,” said Hayattuddin.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

US tells TPP members to improve labour standards

Rabiatul Kamit
Sunnylands, USA

THE United States yesterday warned Brunei and other Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) members of failing to implement improved labour and environmental standards as this will lead to restrictions in receiving full benefits of the free trade deal.

Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said countries have to meet the baseline for labour rights and environmental protection to access lifted tariffs and open markets.

“There’s a powerful incentive to countries in the TPP to meet those standards, because if they don’t, they won’t receive all benefits… That is what’s in it for everybody in the TPP that meet their end of the deal,” he told reporters in Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage.

Under the labour chapter of the trade agreement, Brunei must undertake reforms to protect labour rights which include introducing a minimum wage.

The US negotiated a separate side deal with Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, requiring the three governments to implement specific legislative and regulatory reforms as well as increase enforcement capacity as outlined in their respective consistency plans.

TPP members must also allow mechanisms for the creation of a workers’ union, procedures for collective bargaining and strikes as well as prohibit discrimination.

While the sultanate has yet to enact minimum wage laws, the government enables workers to anonymously report violations of labour laws that include follow-up and documentation procedures, another condition laid out in Brunei’s consistency plan.

Last week, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Dato Paduka Hj Erywan Pehin Dato Pekerma Jaya Hj Mohd Yusof had said Brunei will revise several pieces of legislation, including minimum wage, labour and transparency laws before the sultanate ratifies the TPP.

Rhodes believed the TPP empowers members across the Asia Pacific region to not only improve and enhance trade relations, but also uphold labour and environmental standards.

“Over time, we think that can improve the standards in those countries and the region as whole, because there will be a benefit that comes to countries who are elevating their standards and improving their performances in these areas,” he said.

The core international standards on labour rights, which all TPP members must demonstrate, are in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) regulations.

At the plenary session of the Special US-ASEAN Leaders Summit, US President Barack Obama reiterated that Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam have committed to high labour and environmental standards in joining the TPP.

He previously said the TPP will help countries deal with issues involving forced labour, child labour and discrimination against women, by using internationally recognised labour laws.

“We know from our own history that when workers are able to come together and speak with one voice, it helps to boost wages which improves working conditions and raises living standards. This progress ripples out and benefits all workers,” he said last November.

As one of the hallmarks of the TPP, Obama said hundreds of millions of workers will now be covered by higher, enforceable labour standards.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

More people seeking gov’t welfare benefits

Wail Wardi Wasil
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

GOVERNMENT agencies in charge of welfare benefits have seen a rise in the number of people asking for assistance in recent years, the minister of culture, youth and sports said yesterday.

During a dialogue session between the Ministry of Culture, Youths and Sports (MCYS) and Legislative Council members, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awang Halbi Hj Mohd Yusof said the issue of poverty is one of the critical issues that must be dealt with immediately.

He said that in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people requesting government welfare through bodies such as the Community Development Department (JAPEM) and the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB).

According to the press release, JAPEM’s statistics showed that there were 6, 478 heads of families that received the Monthly Welfare Benefits (BKB) last year. This was an eight per cent increase compared from 6,019 in 2014.

Statistics published by JAPEM through data.gov.bn also showed that the number of welfare recipients in 2014 also revealed an increase of 15 per cent compared to 5,247 in 2013.

The ministry is aware that this development was brought forth by various factors such as unemployment, insufficient wages, a high number of dependents in the family and many others, he said.

YB Dato Pehin Hj Halbi added that this increase in the number of welfare recipients is a cause for concern and the situation must be improved.

The minister added that due to the increase, the National Council on Social Issues (MKIS), in an effort to reduce social problems in the country, has made the issue of poverty a top priority.

This is done, he said, by aiding welfare recipients in releasing themselves from the cycle of poverty.

YB Dato Pehin Hj Halbi went on to say that the ministry will also continue its efforts in further strengthening youth development in the country.

He said the ministry is aiming to review a number of national and ministerial policies under youths, sports, culture as well programmes that are currently running under the ministry.

“This is to ensure that these policies are still relevant and effective and at the same time, it is to take into consideration whether some policies need a change in trajectory,” said the minister.

He added that the ministry will also aim to improve the synergy between relevant authorities, whether from the government sector, the private sector or grassroots leader, adding that “engagement” and “public consultation” is the key to preserving the peace and harmony of the nation.

The dialogue session was headed by Yang Berhormat Hj Sulaiman Ahad and was held at the Conference Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

MENANGANI CABARAN EKONOMI MERUNDUM

LUMUT 12 Rabiulawal 1437/22 Januari 2016: Jaring Keselamatan Sosial (social safety net) negara perlu diperluaskan dan diperkukuh sebagai langkah persiapan untuk mempastikan kebajikan golongan masyarakat yang dijangka akan terjejas teruk dalam suasana kegawatan ekonomi yang sedang melanda negara terjamin.

Ianya juga perlu dikemaskinikan agar lebih efektif dan efisyen dalam memberikan perlindungan sosial kepada golongan masyarakat yang tidak berupaya bertahan dalam suasana ekonomi negara yang membimbangkan ini, tegas TYT Presiden NDP, sdra Malai Hassan Othman mengongsikan pandangannya dalam sesi muzakarah bersama ahli-ahli jawatankuasa pandu Ranting Lumut 1&2.

“Kerajaan telah secara telus mengakui kemerosotan harga pasaran global minyak dan gas telah menjejaskan hasil pendapatan negara secara signifikan”, ujar sdra Malai Hassan Othman.

TYT Presiden NDP menyentuh ucapan Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM) dan Menteri Kewangan II, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim di Majlis Hari Terbuka Peniaga 2016.

Menurut YB Pehin Dato Awang Haji Abdul Rahman pendapatan kerajaan telah menurun kira-kira 70 peratus dari hasil yang diterima pada Tahun Kewangan 2012/2013.

“YB Pehin telah melaporkan bahawa kerajaan pada Tahun Kewangan 2014/2015 telah mengalami defisit belanjawan sebanyak $213 juta dan defisit belanjawan negara ini juga semakin meningkat dalam Tahun Kewangan 2015/2016, di mana sehingga bulan Disember tahun 2015 sahaja, defisit belanjawan yang dicatatkan setakat ini melebihi $1.6 bilion yang mana jumlah ini dijangka meningkat kepada lebih $2.3bilion pada akhir Tahun Kewangan 2015/2016”.

Naib Presiden NDP Belait, Sdra Haji Metali bin Ibrahim menyampaikan kata
alu-aluan di sesi muzakarah bersama AJK Protem Ranting Lumut 1 & 2

Pengurangan hasil pendapatan tersebut telah memberikan implikasi kepada keupayaan dan cara kerajaan menampung perbelanjaan pada masa ini dan masa mendatang, terutamanya jika keadaan ini berpanjangan”, tambah TYT Presiden NDP merujuk kenyataan YB Pehin Dato Haji Abd Rahman.

Dalam lain perkataan keadaan tersebut turut menjejaskan kemampuan kerajaan untuk menampung perbelanjaan seperti dulu.

Sehubungan dengan itu NDP sangat bimbang dengan senario dan implikasinya kepada masyarakat umum khususnya golongan marhaen termasuklah golongan belia-belia yang akan memasuki alam pekerjaan.

Kata TYT Presiden NDP, dikhuatiri di tahun-tahun kehadapan ini jumlah pengganguran akan bertambah dan semakin ramai pula keluarga akan jatuh miskin selain dari golongan peniaga-peniaga tempatan yang mungkin akan jatuh muflis akibat ekonomi negara yang merundum.

Kegelisahan dikalangan tenaga kerja tempatan juga dijangkakan apabila para majikan di sektor swasta terpaksa mengambil langkah mengurangkan kos operasi masing-masing sebagai langkah untuk mengelakkan syarikat-syarikat mereka dari menanggung kerugian besar akibat kemelesetaan ekonomi. Mungkin antara langkah yang mereka ambil ialah membekukan pengambilan tenaga kerja, pembekuan kenaikan gaji, pengurangan kerja lebih masa, bonus tahunan dan sebagainya.

“Apabila ini berlaku akan timbul kegelisahan dan kekecewaan apabila sebilangan besar kehilangan mata pencarian dan mereka yang terjejas setentunya perlu perlindungan sosial dari badan-badan kebajikan masyarakat seperti Jabatan Pembangunan Masyarakat (JAPEM), Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Baitul Mal dan sebagainya. Dalam kata lain senarai pemohon bantuan kebajikan dan asnaf fakir miskin akan semakin panjang, ujar sdra Malai Hassan.

Justeru adalah wajar bagi pihak-pihak berkenaan bersiap sedia dengan memberikan perhatian serious terhadapnya dan menimbangkan strategi yang perlu dilaksanakan untuk mengurangkan kesan buruk yang mungkin bakal terhasil dari situasi tersebut. Memperluas dan memperkukuh jaring keselamatan sosial merupakan salah satu langkah yang saya lihat perlu diberikan perhatian oleh pihak berwajib, katanya lagi.

“Dalam hal ini, tambah beliau, NDP juga perlu bersiap sedia untuk membantu kerajaan dalam mengahadapi cabaran-cabaran tersebut dan bukan pula dengan menguar-uarkan isu-isu yang hanya boleh menambah kegelisahan masyarakat umum dan menambah buruk keadaan”.

“Disinilah peranan ranting-ranting NDP yang berada dikalangan masyarakat akar umbi iaitu untuk mengelinga kemaslahatan masyarakat disekitarnya dan sebagai sebuah pertubuhan politik yang sangat prihatin tentang untug rugi nasib bangsanya dalam suasana ekonomi yang merundum ini.

Tambah TYT Presiden lagi,“kedudukan ekonomi negara yang membimbangkan ini membuatkan agenda politik NDP semakin relevan iaitu untuk membantu KDYMM Sultan dan Kerajaan dalam memelihara kestabilan, keselamatan dan kesejahteraan bangsa dan negara dari sebarang bentuk ancaman. Dalam konteks ini kemiskinan dan pengganguran merupakan dua ancaman besar kepada kestabilan, keselamatan dan kesejahteraan bangsa dan negara jika ianya tidak diberikan perhatian sewajarnya”.

Sdra Pengiran Kamaruddin bin Pengiran Sarnawi, Ketua AJK Protem Ranting Lumut 1 & 2

“Sebagai sebuah pertubuhan politik, NDP punya tanggungjawab dalam sama-sama menangani perkara ini. Tanggungjawab ini akan dapat dilaksanakan dengan lebih berkesan dengan adanya ranting-ranting parti yang berfungsi dengan baiknya diseluruh pelusuk negara”, tegas TYT Presiden NDP.

TYT Presiden menaruh harapan Ranting Lumut khususnya, yang sekarang dipimpin oleh sdra Pengiran Kamaruddin bin Pengiran Sarnawi akan dapat memainkan peranan dengan berkesan misalnya dengan mengambil langkah proaktif dalam melaksanakan tanggungjawab politik NDP di kawasan Mukim Lumut.

Turut hadir di sesi muzakarah tersebut ialah TYT Timbalan Presiden NDP, sdra Pengiran Haji Zainal bin Pengiran Talib, Naib Presiden Belait, sdra Haji Metali bin Ibrahim, Setiausaha Agung NDP, sdri Hajjah Saemah Kefli, Bendahari Agung NDP, sdra Haji Mohd Ali Yusof, Penolong Setiausaha Agung NDP, sdra Mohammad Abdullah Peter bin Abdullah Saging dan ahli-ahli Majlis Tertinggi NDP Belait serta ahli-ahli NDP Lumut dan Belait.


Sumber - Laman Aspirasi NDP

Brunei Darussalam’s tourism industry to see stronger support

A cabinet reshuffle in Brunei Darussalam has sharpened the country’s focus on tourism against a backdrop of sluggish industry growth and falling visitor numbers.

Created in October 2015, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism is charged with exploring ways of leveraging Brunei Darussalam’s strengths, which include its strategic location in the heart of the ASEAN region and a variety of natural attractions.

The reshuffle was widely welcomed by the country’s tourism operators, many of whom see it as a sign that the government is looking to shore up support for the industry, which is seen as a key component of the national effort to diversify Brunei Darussalam’s economy.

Abundant attractions

Emerging niche markets, such as the eco- and agri-tourism segments, together with short-term stays, feature prominently on the list of areas targeted for development.

Brunei Darussalam has an abundance of primary rainforest, which covers an estimated 70% of the country’s terrain, and is home to a wealth of flora and fauna, including some species that are only found within its borders.

In an interview with local media, Chuan Pyng, general manager of Century Travel Centre, said Brunei Darussalam had much to offer nature lovers, if marketed effectively. “We should try to capitalise on eco-tourism and heavily promote eco-friendly locations like Ulu Temburong and the Mangrove Resort,” he said.

Local initiatives targeting tourism growth are also being developed. In October Tutong District announced plans to attract some 60,000 visitors over the next two years under its tourism development strategy.

Officially launched in late August, the Tutong Destination Programme aims to promote the district’s attractions and places of interest under a single industry umbrella. The programme is also looking to create job opportunities for locals and promote locally produced goods.

Boosting capacity

Steps already taken to strengthen Brunei Darussalam’s tourism infrastructure, led by a $150m airport revamp, should support the new tourism drive.

The Brunei International Airport Terminal modernisation project, scheduled to come on-line by the end of 2015, is expected to double the facility’s annual passenger-handling capacity to 3m, paving the way for the country to carve a niche as a regional air logistics hub. Facilities will include 13 new check-in counters, bringing the total to 40, as well as eight passenger boarding gates. According to the Brunei Economic Development Board, which is overseeing the project, baggage-handling capacity will increase by 50% to 1330 bags per hour.

Tour operators will be looking for the new infrastructure and initiatives to help reverse the decline in arrivals witnessed last year.

While tourist arrivals slipped from 85,599 in 2013 to 78,436 in 2014, as per figures from the Department of Economic Planning and Development, the industry’s long-term prospects remain bright, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Tourism directly accounted for 1.5% of Brunei Darussalam’s GDP in 2014, with forecasts suggesting its contribution will rise by 2.5% in 2015 and 4.7% per annum through to 2025 to reach BN$515.8m ($365m), or 1.8% of GDP.

In employment terms the sector has a more significant footprint. While tourism directly accounted for 2.4% of total employment in 2014, according to the WTTC, the sector and its related fields comprised 7.6% of the national total, or some 15,500 jobs. By 2025 the industry will provide an estimated 20,000 jobs, equivalent to 7.7% of total employment.

Moving forward

While the airport expansion marks a key step forward, other infrastructure shortfalls present hurdles for sector growth. The lack of public transport in particular is seen as an obstacle, as ease of transit is often a deciding factor for tourists.

Critics have also noted that the country’s port facilities are largely structured to cater to industrial activities, making them less suitable for cruise ships. A lack of manpower in the hospitality industry is another concern for the industry’s development.                                                              

In March Pehin Dato Yahya Bakar, minister of industry and primary resources, said improvements to infrastructure had a key part to play in driving Brunei’s tourism industry forward. He added that Brunei Darussalam would be looking for private sector input in its efforts to cultivate places of interest.

“Currently the Tourism Development Department has identified several sites across the country to be [designated] as tourist sites, and it will be open to domestic and foreign investors,” he told local media.


Sumber - Oxford Business Group

Perangkaan penganggur tempatan meningkat

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Isnin, 11 Janauri. - Bulan November tahun lalu, bilangan penduduk yang menganggur dalam kalangan penduduk tempatan (rakyat Brunei dan penduduk tetap) yang berumur 18 hingga 59 tahun telah meningkat dari 10,313 orang pada bulan Oktober 2015 kepada 10,385 orang pada bulan November tahun yang sama.

Menurut Siaran Akhbar Jabatan Perancangan dan Kemajuan Ekonomi (JPKE), dari jumlah tersebut 6,789 orang (65 peratus) tinggal di Daerah Brunei dan Muara; 5,751 orang (55 peratus) adalah terdiri daripada perempuan; 6,006 orang (58 peratus) berumur di antara 20 hingga 29 tahun dan 6,563 orang (63 peratus) mempunyai taraf pendidikan tertinggi di peringkat menengah.

Perangkaan tersebut bertujuan untuk memberikan anggaran terkini bilangan berserta profil mengenai rakyat Brunei dan penduduk tetap berumur di antara 18 hingga 59 tahun yang tidak mempunyai pekerjaan dan sedang aktif mencari pekerjaan, atau yang tidak menuntut di mana-mana institusi pendidikan dan sedang aktif mencari pekerjaan, atau diistilahkan sebagai penganggur.

Perubahan tersebut adalah disebabkan oleh tambahan seramai 487 orang yang baru mendaftar sebagai pencari kerja.

Pengurangan seramai 415 orang adalah terdiri daripada 96 orang yang sudah mendapat pekerjaan dan 319 orang atas sebab-sebab lain seperti tidak membaharui pendaftaran sebagai pencari kerja di Agensi Pekerjaan Tempatan dan Pembangunan Tenaga Kerja (APTK).

Pihak kerajaan telah melaksanakan beberapa inisiatif bagi menangani isu pengangguran di negara ini melalui dua pendekatan, iaitu untuk meningkatkan tahap pengetahuan dan kemahiran anak tempatan lepasan peringkat 'O' dan 'A' dengan memberikan biasiswa atau latihan seperti Skim Biasiswa Khas, Skim Biasiswa Pendidikan Teknikal dan Vokasional di Institusi Pengajian Swasta Dalam Negeri (BPTV); Skim Biasiswa Pendidikan Teknikal dan Vokasional di Institusi Pengajian Dalam Negeri (BPTV) - Energy Industry Competency Framework (EICF), Skim Internship Student Programme for ICT Related Education (InSPIRE) serta Skim Latihan dan Pekerjaan (SLP).

Di samping itu, untuk memberikan lebih banyak peluang-peluang pekerjaan kepada anak tempatan melalui pengurangan kuota pengambilan pekerja-pekerja asing yang berkemahiran rendah.

Mengikut hasil Kajian Tenaga Kerja (KTK) 2014, dari jumlah penduduk yang bekerja, kira-kira 27.5 peratus merupakan pekerja asing.

Beberapa penunjuk pasaran tenaga kerja merupakan bilangan pencarum yang baru berdaftar di Tabung Amanah Pekerja (TAP) pada bulan November 2015, iaitu seramai 567 orang, terdiri daripada 47 orang yang bekerja di sektor kerajaan dan 520 orang di sektor swasta.

Secara keseluruhan, jumlah pancarum yang baru berdaftar di TAP dari bulan Januari hingga November 2015 ialah seramai 6,249 orang.

Sebarang pertanyaan mengenai Perangkaan Pencari Kerja Tempatan bolehlah dirujuk ke JPKE dengan menghubungi talian telefon +673 2230250 atau +673 2233344 semasa waktu pejabat atau E-mel : 'info.statistics@jpke.gov.bn' atau laman sesawang : 'www.depd.gov.bn'.


Sumber - Pelita Brunei

Private sector still struggle to fill job openings

Leo Kasim
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE private sector has struggled to employ people in recent years as the number of positions filled against advertised job vacancies for both 2013 and 2014 remained below 20 per cent, according to labour market indicators from the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) yesterday.

Sourcing data from the Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency (APTK), JPKE stats revealed that out of 2,127 vacancies in 2014, only 366 positions were filled. Similarly, only 160 job posts were filled in 2013 out of 1,036 vacancies.

Meanwhile, recent data show there were 618 newly registered contributors to the Employees Trust Fund (TAP) as of October 2015.

In other labour indicators, unemployment figures in October 2015 for locals and permanent residents declined to 10,313 persons in October 2015 from 11,093 in the previous month.

JPKE attributed the lower unemployment figures to those who have either acquired jobs, took further studies or are no longer interested in seeking employment.

The reduction of 1,242 persons comprised of 187 that have found jobs and 62 who went for further studies. The decrease was also because 993 persons are no longer registered with the APTK because of reasons such as non-renewal of their registration.

About 58 per cent of jobseekers or 6,114 persons in October were aged 20 to 29 years old while 23.7 per cent or 2,444 jobseekers were aged 30-39.

In the same month, jobseekers with secondary school education made up the largest number of unemployment with 62.7 per cent or 6,467 persons followed by those with technical and vocational education with 12.9 per cent or 1,333 persons.

Those with tertiary education took up 11.2 per cent of registered jobseekers or 1,156 persons.

Registered jobseekers were also mostly women with 5,719 females unemployed or 55.5 per cent while 4,594 or 44.5 per cent were accounted for by males.

Brunei-Muara, the country’s most populated district, has the largest number of jobseekers with 6,701 persons accounting for 65 per cent of the total unemployment figure for October 2015.

This is followed by 14.8 per cent in Tutong, 14.7 per cent in Belait and 5.5 per cent in Temburong which is the country’s least populated district.

JPKE compiles its data based on reports by village heads and the APTK under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

During the Brunei Job Fair 2015, companies have expressed frustration at Bruneian jobseekers that see private sector jobs as second choice to government jobs.

Previously, the former Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman said that over 12,200 Bruneians were jobless in 2015.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Brunei strives to improve its labour market

Azmi Zainal
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE sultanate made inroads this year in reducing the jobless rate, empowering the labour force to improve their employability and encouraging Bruneians to reduce their reliance on the government sector and take up private sector jobs.

Unemployment down

Unemployment rates have seen a sharp fall this year.

According to the most recent data from the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE), the number of jobless in the sultanate fell 8.6 per cent to 11,093 in September from 12,137 a year earlier.

September also saw the lowest number of jobless for any month so far this year.

Unemployment in Brunei is projected to fall to three per cent by 2016, according to a report from the UN Economic and Social Survey of Asia-Pacific (UNESCAP), which cited government initiatives to help mitigate the number of jobless.

The government has made a number of efforts to reduce unemployment. Some of its campaigns included public encouragement of taking up vocational training and jobs through scholarships and initiatives such as the Energy Sector Job fair, said UNESCAP. It also included promotion of entrepreneurial grants from various institutions such as the Brunei Economic Development Board.

Agencies such as the Energy Department at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency (APTK) under the Ministry of Home Affairs have also been active in organising career programmes and job fairs throughout the year to provide opportunities for locals.

Entrepreneurship

In August, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, urged local jobseekers to shed preference for the civil service as many continued to shun opportunities in the private sector.

In his 69th birthday titah at Istana Nurul Iman, the monarch pointed out that “a picky attitude” in seeking employment can hinder the progress and success of a nation.

“There are opportunities available, but it is still up to the respective jobseekers. As usual, these opportunities are frequently taken up by foreign workers in the private sector, while local jobseekers are seen as preferring to work in the public sector or government,” he said.

Earlier in the year, during the Legislative Council’s sessions in March, Bruneians were urged to change their mindset and stop relying so much on the government for jobs and financial support and instead set their sights on becoming entrepreneurs. Employers were also encouraged to give priority to locals when hiring.

Then Minister of Health YB Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof highlighted that Bruneians should move away from relying on government salaries and support and instead enter the more industrious world of business.

“The industry sector is the heart of the economy, which has been proven to be capable of creating more employment, including advancing other industry-related economic activities,” he said.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Adanan said young Bruneians must be given the opportunity and priority in filling the important roles to replace expatriates because there are qualified locals for these roles.

Also In March, then Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awang Othman said the government’s policy of capping the number of foreign workers is not intended to hinder industrial growth and development.

He said the policy introduced last year is aimed primarily at reducing the unused quota of foreign workers. However, the ministry will insist that companies make plans within three years to gradually replace their foreign staff with locals, maintain the quota, or increase the number of expatriates as and when their companies’ growth and expansion make it necessary.

The minister said companies should make an effort to recruit more Bruneians.

There are currently 141,852 foreign workers in all sectors, including construction and private domestic help. On top of that, private sector employers have an unused quota for foreign workers totalling 71,000.

He said the ministry wants to regulate the number of foreigners working in the sultanate to make sure they don’t dominate jobs in the five sectors.

Curbing youth unemployment

In October, it was reported that the Institute of Brunei Technical Education in collaboration with the Continuing Education and Training Department (CET) was providing free training courses for unemployed youths between the ages of 18 and 35 as one of their initiatives to build skills among youths.

Hjh Nimah Hj Ahad, a senior officer from CET, encouraged more youths, particularly those who had just graduated from higher institutions, to develop their skills as opposed to merely waiting for job opportunities.

“We’re encouraging youths in the search for employment to apply for training courses to acquire new skills which would increase their opportunities to open businesses and become self-employed,” she added.

In relation to this, in March, Steven K Gold, an entrepreneurship professor from Babson College in the US, said entrepreneurship is important for the growth of a country, as it could help generate jobs and make the nation attractive to foreign investors.

Gold was invited to Brunei in 2014 by the Entrepreneurship Village under the Ministry of Education as a consultant for the National Entrepreneurship Agenda.

The Entrepreneurship Village’s strategies include equipping primary school children with the skills or tools required to become entrepreneurs.

For secondary and university students, it guides them on how to start and grow a business.

It also hopes to help existing entrepreneurs sustain and make their businesses globally competitive.

“The important factors to becoming [successful] entrepreneurs are communication skills, connections and being proactive,” he said.

“We guide interested entrepreneurs by giving them wider connections to other international experts to guide them further,” he added.

In June the Ministry of Home Affairs launched their job portal for private sector jobs.

The e-Labour Exchange also allows registered employers to post vacancies and seek potential employees.

Hj Shahrul Jeffri Dato Paduka Hj Ibrahim, acting head of the ministry’s Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency, said the system will speed up the recruitment process.

Hiring Bruneian workers will be faster and more cost-effective for employers, he said.

Through the new system, jobseekers can register and update their profiles online. They can also apply for courses offered on the e-Labour Exchange.

“The most important thing which I would like to emphasise is the government’s continuous effort to facilitate jobseekers to potential employers,” said YB Pehin Dato Hj Awg Badaruddin.

The minister hoped all private employers in the country would register with the new system and encourage local jobseekers, including students looking for part-time jobs, to make use of the portal.


Sumber - The Brunei Times