Number of locals unemployed remains high

IN SPITE of various programmes and assistance to address the unemployment problem, the number of jobseekers in Brunei seems to be high, around 5,000-8,000, according to the chairman of the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS).



"Nonetheless data on employment is still open to interpretation as the number could include multiple registrations and so it may not reflect the actual number of unemployed locals, " Hj Omar Hj Abdul Rahman told audience during presentations on the findings of the first large-scale study, based on empirical data, regarding unemployment issues in the country, yesterday.

The study was jointly carried out by Dr Diane Cheong Poh Poh and Dr Roger Lawrey of Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Dr Lawrey, in his presentation of the study, also echoed a similar remark, calling for a follow-up survey to be conducted.

Since the study was limited to those registered with the Labour Department, the UBD associate professor said that the data might not represent the total population.

"There could be considerable hidden unemployment in Brunei," Dr Lawrey said.

Meanwhile, Hj Omar also noted that companies from the private sector preferred to employ foreign nationals, since they are thought to be cheaper to employ.

These companies were also discouraged to employ locals because of the high turnover, since they did not stay long at the company, since they opted for better job prospects in the public sector.

Following the presentation of the findings by the two UBD lecturers, the panel of reactors gave their views of the findings.

Acting Commissioner of Labour Hjh Rosliah Hj Hasbollah said that the Labour Department had also conducted a survey last year, where they found "considerable improvements" in unemployment issues.

In light of the new findings, she also said that the department was looking at the labour policy and the ratio of recruitment system.

Other panel members comprised the president for the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam Hj Razali Hj Johari and Hjh Norjum Hj Mohd Yusof, the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education, who both acknowledged the findings and delivered their respective remarks.

An open forum was also held where participants had the opportunity to raise concerns and their recommendations on what should be done to address the unemployment issue.

Some 120 stakeholders, policymakers, permanent secretaries from various government agencies as well as members of the private sector attended the event held at the Empire Hotel and Country Club, Jerudong. (Ubaidillah Masli)

The Brunei Times