• Today: September 15, 2026

Labour operations uncover employment offences in Seria

The Law Enforcement Unit of the Department of Manpower and Employment Belait Branch recently conducted two operations in Seria, ‘Operasi Usai 187/2026’ and ‘188/2026’, to enforce and ensure employers’ compliance of Employment Act, Chapter 278.

During the operation several offences were unearthed where in the first inspection at a restaurant, the enforcement personnel identified seven offences under the Employment Act, Chapter 278, allegedly committed by the employer against its workers.

The offences were under Section 39 for failure to pay workers’ wages and overtime pay; Section 65 for exceeding the prescribed working hours; Section 70 for failure to provide leave on gazetted public holidays; Section 71 for failure to provide annual leave; Section 72 for failure to provide certified sick leave; Section 112(2) for employing a foreign worker without a licence issued by the Commissioner of Labour; and Section 112(2) for breaching the conditions of a foreign worker recruitment licence, whereby a worker employed as a packer was assigned administrative duties.

Meanwhile, a second inspection at a convenience shop uncovered seven offences under the Employment Act, Chapter 278. The offences were under Section 39 for failure to pay workers’ wages and overtime; Section 44 for making unauthorised deductions from workers’ wages; Section 63 for failure to provide rest days; Section 64 for requiring workers to work on rest days; Section 65 for exceeding the prescribed working hours; Section 70 for failure to provide leave on gazetted public holidays; and Section 112(2) for breach of the conditions of a foreign worker recruitment licence, whereby a worker employed as a kitchen assistant was assigned duties as a waiter and cashier.

Further investigations will be conducted into the alleged offences under the Employment Act, Chapter 278. If found guilty, the employers may be issued a compound fine of up to BND1,000 for each offence. The failure to pay the compound fine will result in the employer being brought before the court.

Employers are reminded to monitor the welfare and employment conditions of their workers in accordance with the Employment Act, Chapter 278.

This includes ensuring the timely payment of wages, providing leave on gazetted public holidays, granting medically certified sick leave and annual leave, as well as bearing the cost of return tickets for workers whose employment contracts have ended. 

ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the operations in progress. PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF MANPOWER AND EMPLOYMENT
PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF MANPOWER AND EMPLOYMENT
PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF MANPOWER AND EMPLOYMENT
PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF MANPOWER AND EMPLOYMENT

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/JAMES KON

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