Nearly 15,000 active job seekers recorded as of June, with most aged between 21 and 35
Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Manpower and Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman has called for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to tackling unemployment, saying the issue extends beyond job availability and requires long-term reforms in human capital development.
Speaking during the first day of the Second Meeting of the 22nd Legislative Council (LegCo) session on Monday, the minister revealed that, as of June 2026, the Brunei Employment Centre recorded 14,976 active job seekers, with 79 per cent (11,876) aged between 21 and 35. Of the total, 32 per cent held bachelor’s degrees or higher, 31 per cent had secondary education or below, while 21 per cent possessed technical and vocational qualifications.
He said the figures show unemployment affects people from diverse educational backgrounds and is driven by multiple factors, including skills mismatches, lack of work experience, employability, transport access, family circumstances, health conditions, salary expectations and changing industry demands.
“As such, addressing unemployment requires closer coordination between government agencies, educational institutions, industry, social agencies and the wider community,” he said.
The minister stressed that every economic development initiative must translate into meaningful employment opportunities for Bruneians, with success measured not only by the number of jobs created but also by job quality, career progression, productivity, skills development and sustainable incomes. He also called for stronger localisation efforts to ensure locals are equipped to take on leadership and specialised roles.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin said human capital development should be regarded as a strategic national priority, noting that quality employment strengthens families, social stability and national resilience. He added that labour market data must continue to guide policymaking to ensure education, training and workforce development remain aligned with industry needs.
The minister also highlighted the link between unemployment and welfare, revealing that of the 22,274 individuals who received assistance from the Department of Zakat, Waqaf and Baitulmal (JUZWAB) and the Department of Community Development (JAPEM) between January 2023 and July 24 this year, 52.3 per cent were unemployed.
He said the figures demonstrate that welfare challenges are closely tied to education, employability and access to economic opportunities, underscoring the need for targeted interventions that focus on protection, recovery and empowerment rather than financial assistance alone.
SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/James Kon
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