Foreign Labour In Brunei

According to Commonwealth, Brunei Darussalam with a small population of 418, 000 is among the world richer countries for its extensive oil and gas resources. During the regional economic crises of 1997 to 1998, the government of Brunei promotes foreign investments by encouraging private sectors participation in public enterprises making Brunei a regional trade and services centre. These can contribute to low paid foreign labor into the country affecting its economy and society. Several economic and social issues can derived from cheap foreign labours in Brunei are money leaving the economy to overseas destinations, displacement of locals from the workplace and the rise in crime rate.

Firstly‚ the problem arises when a country has high dependency

The locals have too high expectations toward getting a career in their dream job which mostly does not meet their qualification. As Brunei Darussalam being one of the richest countries in Asia, the standard of living is high. With the influence on their standard of living, locals expected to be paid at high wages and working in comfortable conditions (Bhaskaran, 2007). Furthermore, heavy laboured jobs such as in agriculture, fishery and mechanical sectors where job vacancies are higher are not preferred by the locals and are considered as low grade among the society (Cheong & Lawrey, 2009). Therefore, foreign labours are most likely preferred especially by the private sector companies because locals tend to foresee working for private sectors as only a temporary job while seeking for better occupation at the government sectors for its higher wages. According to Cheong, “Dissatisfaction with working conditions is the main reason for leaving. Reasons such as ‘look for new better job and experience’, ‘Got new (suitable) job’, ‘long working hours’, ‘job too difficult’, ‘inconvenient working hours’ and ‘boss too demanding’ are the most frequent reasons cited” (2009, pg 16). Due to this lack of discipline, the private companies suffer massive lost. Foreign labours are then much more

Particularly on the place where there are a large number of foreign workers which the local felt lack of security as they are not at ease with a lot of foreigners surrounded their places. It is also undeniable that most Bruneians have a mindset and agreed that large number of foreigners pose threats to the community as the foreign workers, especially the low paid foreign workers were seen as the one who were responsible for the increase crime rate in Brunei which had increased by 8 percent between 2011 and 2013, according to the Department of Economic Planning and Department. However, according to the Commissioner of Royal Brunei Police Force (2015), “Jobless people contribute to the rise in crime. I urged the youth to take up jobs to support life”. The jobless Bruneians have social problem with financial shortage and are struggling to support their own life which influences them to make wrong decision such as committing crimes. According to studies, unemployment is the key factor leading to crime because the person is marked by the deterioration of living standards and their emotional structure becomes unstable. Although the criminal cases in Brunei Darussalam are not big, it needs to take into consideration so the country could become a harmonious country for its residence, both to locals and foreigners. , the