Latest news with #EmploymentOrder
The Star
12-07-2025
- The Star
Joint operation uncovers multiple violations in Brunei
The joint operation involved 171 officers and personnel from multiple agencies. - RBPF via BB/ANN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), through the Brunei-Muara Police District and several enforcement agencies, unearthed a number of violations during a joint operation targeting two locations around Jalan Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien and Jalan Tasik, Bandar Seri Begawan. The Narcotics Control Bureau detained four men suspected of consuming controlled drugs. Meanwhile, the Royal Customs and Excise Department detained three men and a woman for possessing contraband cigarettes. The Department of Labour detected several violations under the Employment Order, 2009 including the failure to provide annual leave and sick leave certified by a doctor; deduction of salary without approval; failure to declare the place of residence of the employee, unsanitary housing; and the failure to provide return tickets for the employee to the country of origin. The Department of Electrical Services discovered a violation of the Electricity Act after a residential unit was found supplying electricity to another unit using a portable connection (extension wire). The Municipal Department found a tenant of a rented house suspected of committing offences under the Miscellaneous Offences Act. An abandoned vehicle is also under investigation. According to the RBPF, Acting Commanding Officer of the Brunei-Muara Police District Superintendent Mohd Shaker Nayan led the joint operation, launched around 11pm on July 8. The operation involved 171 officers and personnel from multiple agencies. The operation was carried out as part of the security initiative in conjunction with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's 79th birthday celebration. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
The Star
21-06-2025
- The Star
Labour Department uncovers violations in Kampong Tagap, Brunei
Labour enforcement officers during the inspection. - Photo: LED BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Labour Enforcement Division under the Labour Department has uncovered several employment violations during Operasi Waspada 117/2025 conducted in Kampong Tagap on Monday (June 16). The operation was aimed at enforcing compliance with the Employment Order, Chapter 278, and ensuring employers uphold their responsibilities towards their workers. During inspections of workers' accommodation, authorities identified six violations under the Employment Order, including: Failure to provide weekly rest days (Section 63); Requiring employees to work on rest days (Section 64); Failure to grant paid annual leave (Section 71); And inadequate and unhygienic worker accommodations (Section 80). Additionally, two offences were recorded under Section 112(2) for breaching the conditions of the Foreign Worker Licence. Foreign workers employed under construction roles were found performing tasks outside their approved scope, such as tending to livestock including goats, chickens, and ducks. The activities were also not aligned with the company's licensed construction operations, which were instead being used for animal farming and distribution. Further investigations are underway. If found guilty, the employer may be fined up to BND1,000 per offence. Failure to pay compound fines may result in court proceedings. The Labour Department reminds all employers to remain vigilant in safeguarding workers' welfare in accordance with the Employment Order, including providing at least one rest day per week, paid annual leave, and clean accommodation. Employees must also only perform work aligned with their approved job titles, and businesses must strictly adhere to their licensed activities. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
The Star
09-06-2025
- The Star
Brunei employer fined RM115,000 for unpaid wages to a domestic helper since 2008
Image from The Star/Asia News Network BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): A local man was ordered to pay a total fine of BND35,200 (RM115,000) or face 98 weeks' imprisonment by the Magistrate's Court for failing to pay his domestic helper's salary since 2008. 59-year-old Awang Aji bin Eya pleaded guilty to 98 charges before Magistrate Syaffina Shahif on May 21. The court imposed a BND200 fine for each of the first 20 charges, in default one week's imprisonment for each, and a BND400 fine for each of the remaining 78 charges, also in default one week's imprisonment for each. The first 20 charges were framed under the now-repealed Section 108(1) of the former Labour Act, punishable under Section 120(b) of the same Act, for offences committed before September 3, 2009. The remaining 78 charges were under Section 39(1) of the Employment Order, carrying penalties under Section 148 of the same legislation. The case involved the non-payment of the domestic helper's wages from 2008, despite being employed since 2000. The court, invoking Section 130 of the Labour Act and Section 140 of the Employment Order, further ordered that BND20,433 of the fine be paid to the domestic helper, representing the total sum of unpaid wages owed. The defendant was given until February 3, 2026, to make full payment, failing which he will have to serve the default custodial sentence of 98 weeks' imprisonment. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
The Star
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
New amendments to Sabah and Sarawak labour ordinances take effect from May 1
PUTRAJAYA: The Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 come into force on May 1, with the exception of Section IVA, which specifically addresses the minimum standards for workers' housing, accommodation, and facilities. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong confirmed this date as the official commencement of the amendments, according to a statement from the Human Resources Ministry. The official date for the enforcement of the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinance Amendment Acts was gazetted on April 28. "These amendments are significant as, for the first time since the formation of Malaysia, labour laws have been successfully standardised across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. "The standardisation includes three key legislations, namely the Employment Act 1955 [Act 265], the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation, and Facilities for Workers Act 1990 [Act 446], and the Children and Young Persons (Employment) Act 1966 [Act 350],' the statement read. The ministry said that the amendments to the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances are a priority and demonstrate the government's commitment to ensuring that the rights and welfare of workers are standardised across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. "The amendments to both ordinances are aimed at fulfilling Malaysia's obligations towards the compliance of the country's labour laws with international labour standards. "It is specifically the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work 1998, to improve Malaysia's image, thereby attracting more investors, especially from abroad,' according to the statement. According to the ministry, key changes in the amendments include an expansion of the ordinances' coverage, which now applies to all workers regardless of their salary or job type, extending beyond the previous limit of RM2,500 per month. Additionally, the amendments introduce several important improvements for workers, including an increase in maternity leave from 60 days to 98 days, the introduction of seven days of paternity leave for fathers, and a reduction in the standard workweek from 48 hours to 45 hours. The amendments also introduce new provisions on flexible working arrangements, workplace discrimination complaints, forced labour complaints, sexual harassment, and workers' housing, accommodation, and facilities, adapting provisions from the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation, and Facilities for Workers Act 1990 (Act 446). Furthermore, the ministry announced that the gazettment of the two acts also includes two orders under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025, namely the Employment Order (Exemption) (Revocation) Order 2025 and the Employment Order (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2025. Additionally, one order under the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 - the Employment Order (Exemption) (Revocation) Order 2025 - also took effect on May 1. "The ministry is confident that the amendments to both ordinances will have a significant positive impact on the welfare and rights of workers in Sabah and Sarawak, and will further enhance Malaysia's international reputation,' the statement concluded. - Bernama
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
New amendments to Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances take effect from May 1
PUTRAJAYA: The Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 come into force on May 1, with the exception of Section IVA, which specifically addresses the minimum standards for workers' housing, accommodation, and facilities. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong confirmed this date as the official commencement of the amendments, according to a statement from the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA). The official date for the enforcement of the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinance Amendment Acts was gazetted on April 28. 'These amendments are significant as, for the first time since the formation of Malaysia, labour laws have been successfully standardised across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. 'The standardisation includes three key legislations, namely the Employment Act 1955 [Act 265], the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation, and Facilities for Workers Act 1990 [Act 446], and the Children and Young Persons (Employment) Act 1966 [Act 350],' the statement read. KESUMA said that the amendments to the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances are a priority and demonstrate the government's commitment to ensuring that the rights and welfare of workers are standardised across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. 'The amendments to both ordinances are aimed at fulfilling Malaysia's obligations towards the compliance of the country's labour laws with international labour standards. 'It is specifically, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work 1998, to improve Malaysia's image, thereby attracting more investors, especially from abroad,' according to the statement. According to KESUMA, key changes in the amendments include an expansion of the ordinances' coverage, which now applies to all workers regardless of their salary or job type, extending beyond the previous limit of RM2,500 per month. Additionally, the amendments introduce several important improvements for workers, including an increase in maternity leave from 60 days to 98 days, the introduction of seven days of paternity leave for fathers, and a reduction in the standard workweek from 48 hours to 45 hours. The amendments also introduce new provisions on flexible working arrangements, workplace discrimination complaints, forced labour complaints, sexual harassment, and workers' housing, accommodation, and facilities, adapting provisions from the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation, and Facilities for Workers Act 1990 (Act 446). Furthermore, KESUMA announced that the gazettment of the two acts also includes two orders under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025, namely the Employment Order (Exemption) (Revocation) Order 2025 and the Employment Order (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2025. Additionally, one order under the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 - the Employment Order (Exemption) (Revocation) Order 2025 - also took effect on May 1. 'KESUMA is confident that the amendments to both ordinances will have a significant positive impact on the welfare and rights of workers in Sabah and Sarawak, and will further enhance Malaysia's international reputation,' the statement concluded.
