| Achong Tanjong |
THE Labour Department organised a roadshow in the Brunei-Muara District yesterday on the recent changes in the payment of security deposit for foreign workers.
Held at the multi-purpose hall of the Fire and Rescue Department Headquarters in Berakas, the event was divided into two sessions – morning and afternoon – and attended by employers and relevant stakeholders.
Also present were the Deputy Commissioner of Labour (Operations) and several representatives from Takaful Brunei Am Sdn Bhd (TBA).
In his speech, Shariman bin Haji Besar, the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Labour and Chairman of the event, said the roadshow’s main objective was to provide employers with more awareness on the recent change to paying security deposit for foreign workers.
He then gave an outline of the new procedures, which involved using Insurance/Takaful Guarantee for Foreign Workers (JITPA), a new deposit payment method introduced by the Labour Department, as an alternative to cash deposit for payment.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Shahriman bin Haji Besar (C) chairing the roadshow.
A section of the employers and stakeholders attending the event.
Employers using JITPA for the recruitment of workers at private companies were told to contact registered Insurance/Takaful operators, for more advice and information.
According to the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Labour, the purpose of lowering the deposit rates is to help ease the burden of employers in the payment of deposit money, as well as supporting the government’s mission in creating a ‘pro-business’ environment.
The changes will take effect on September 1. For those wishing to reclaim their security deposits due to the reduction in rates, the application for refunds will open on January 9, 2017.
Similar roadshows were recently held in the Tutong and Belait Districts, with another scheduled to take place in the Temburong District on August 31.
For more details on the new procedures, employers and stakeholders can contact the Finance Section of the Labour Department at 2382703 and 2380256 ext 2300, 2301 and 2302, or visit the office at Level 1, Labour Department Headquarters.
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