ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations
Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam has been a member State of the ILO since January 2007. The country has ratified two of the ILO’s eight fundamental Conventions, the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No.182) and the Convention on the Minimum Age, 1973 (No.138).
Brunei is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, per capita, with oil and gas generating a substantial amount of foreign investment, income and jobs. However, unemployment (of youth in particular) remains a critical issue. There is an apparent mismatch between jobseekers expectations, job opportunities and the skills requirements of employers. It is estimated that just under half of the workforce is employed in the public sector, while private sector jobs tend to be filled by migrant workers.
The Government is trying to diversify the economy to create more employment in sectors other than energy and upgrade the skills of the labour force. In 2007 Brunei launched "Vision 2035" (Wawasan 2035) which included three strategic goals, all relevant to the decent work agenda: (i) a nation recognized by the accomplishments of its educated and highly skilled people; (ii) quality of life among the top 10 nations of the world; (iii) income per capita among the top 10 nations. At its core, Vision 2035 is a master plan for socio-economic development focusing on eight thematic areas, among them: education, economy, local business development, social security and environmental protection. Vision 2035 is central to Brunei Darussalam’s 15-year National Development Plan (an initial 10 year phase followed by a further five year initiative).
During the International Labour Conference in June 2010, the Government of Brunei expressed an interest in strengthening cooperation with the ILO, especially in the areas of labour market information and analysis (LMIA), skills development, youth employment and Occupational Health and Safety. It also sought technical support in the establishment of a national tripartite structure.
To support these requests, the ILO developed a technical project document, “Enhancement of Labour Market Data Sources: Toward setting up the Labor Market information System in Brunei”, which will be the first such technical cooperation intervention implemented under a trust fund model. The other thematic areas are under discussion.
The ILO’s technical assistance in Brunei Darussalam is handled through the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, based in Bangkok, Thailand.
Brunei is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, per capita, with oil and gas generating a substantial amount of foreign investment, income and jobs. However, unemployment (of youth in particular) remains a critical issue. There is an apparent mismatch between jobseekers expectations, job opportunities and the skills requirements of employers. It is estimated that just under half of the workforce is employed in the public sector, while private sector jobs tend to be filled by migrant workers.
The Government is trying to diversify the economy to create more employment in sectors other than energy and upgrade the skills of the labour force. In 2007 Brunei launched "Vision 2035" (Wawasan 2035) which included three strategic goals, all relevant to the decent work agenda: (i) a nation recognized by the accomplishments of its educated and highly skilled people; (ii) quality of life among the top 10 nations of the world; (iii) income per capita among the top 10 nations. At its core, Vision 2035 is a master plan for socio-economic development focusing on eight thematic areas, among them: education, economy, local business development, social security and environmental protection. Vision 2035 is central to Brunei Darussalam’s 15-year National Development Plan (an initial 10 year phase followed by a further five year initiative).
During the International Labour Conference in June 2010, the Government of Brunei expressed an interest in strengthening cooperation with the ILO, especially in the areas of labour market information and analysis (LMIA), skills development, youth employment and Occupational Health and Safety. It also sought technical support in the establishment of a national tripartite structure.
To support these requests, the ILO developed a technical project document, “Enhancement of Labour Market Data Sources: Toward setting up the Labor Market information System in Brunei”, which will be the first such technical cooperation intervention implemented under a trust fund model. The other thematic areas are under discussion.
The ILO’s technical assistance in Brunei Darussalam is handled through the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, based in Bangkok, Thailand.
Links
| ● The Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies site The CSPS is Brunei’s first “think tank”. It conducts policy research and analysis on strategic issues including employment, social security, economic diversification and education. |
| ● Government site |