| Danial Norjidi |
A WHOLE-OF-NATION approach is needed to tackle the issue of unemployment – from the government, private sector, non-government organisations and jobseekers themselves.
This was highlighted yesterday by Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of DARE (Darussalam Enterprise) in a speech at the opening ceremony of the Brunei Job Fair 2016.
He said that looking at the global economic climate, the economic growth rate has already recorded a decline in demand in countries like China, the United States and Europe, and is affecting all countries, including Brunei Darussalam.
The current low and volatile oil and gas market prices have an impact on government revenue, he said, adding that in this challenging national economy, it carries implications for both the government and the private sector.
The minister also noted that currently, the relative unem-ployment rate of the country is 6.9 per cent. The Manpower Planning Council was thus established earlier this year to monitor, manage and make policy interventions for manpower pla-nning in the country to reduce unemployment.
“Work on manpower planning is also related to job creation under the Foreign Direct In-vestment (FDI) scheme because FDI projects can generate jobs, Insya Allah, more than 3,000 jobs directly and indirectly in the next five years.
“While Brunei Darussalam is currently facing a challenging economic climate, it is also an opportunity for all of us to be more proactive and integrated while working harder to improve the current state of unemployment.”
To reduce the unemployment rate by as much as possible, ministries and government age-ncies such as the Energy and Industry Department, Foreign Direct Investment Steering Committee, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education and other agencies need to work with determination through a whole-of-government approach, he affirmed.
The Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of DARE, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar and the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam, Datuk Ghulam Jelani bin Khanizaman, during the Brunei Job Fair 2016. – DEAN KASSIM
“Efforts and the responsibility of reducing unemployment and the creation of employment opportunities are not placed solely on the government alone. In fact, it also involves important parties such as the private sector (including micro, small and medium enterprises), non-government associations and so on.
“This does not exclude jobseekers themselves, where an attitude of great perseverance, dedication and discipline will improve opportunities for employment,” he said. “All parties concerned play an important role and are involved in helping overcome these challenges.”
He noted that he has seen associations and non-government organisations that have worked proactively and sincerely, such as the Federation of Brunei Malay Entrepreneurs, which has managed to establish a number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and generated employment for locals.
“Among the challenges that are faced is getting actual unemployment data so that concerted actions can be taken by all parties to address the issues of unemployment,” he shared. “In this, Penghulus and village heads, who are concerned about the welfare of the people in their own villages, should also play an important role as an engine of the government for the welfare of the people.”
He shared that the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Manpower Planning Council Secretariat have recently organised several sessions of discussions and worked with penghulus and village heads to provide real information on the unemployment status of their village’s residents.
“I want to express app-reciation to those who have contributed information, where-by they have played a good role in this issue,” he said. “However, it appears that from 185 penghulus and village heads, only 30 per cent are present here today.
“I hope this will be a continuation of the realisation of the objectives of the government in reducing unemployment.”
The minister went on to express his disappointment with an issue. “I was disappointed to see large construction companies, such as some that participate in the project National Development Plan, which do not prioritise hiring locals. Sadly, agents and local partners for these projects are only concerned about profits.
“Is it not time for the parties responsible for organising the tender boards in the government as well as government-linked companies to make hiring locals as a main criterion in awarding the project tender and not for selfish advantage for some irresponsible people and agents?
“At the same time, companies that have submitted project proposals should state how many jobs that can be opened to the locals. In addition, it is also good to give focus to reviewing local procurement policies so that they provide opportunities for local MSMEs. The same principle will be implemented for FDI projects, including con-struction projects associated with them.”
He noted the success of the Energy Industry Competency Framework in increasing the number of locals in the workforce of the oil and gas sector, and expressed his hope that this success will be repeated in the sectors outside oil and gas. “At this Job Fair, the government is also launching the Industry Competency Framework (ICF) programme for the sectors of hospitality and tourism management, transport and construction.
“With the experience of the government in the recruitment of locals in the oil and gas sector, it is possible for this to be applied to other sectors.”
The minister also touched on the importance of the role played by MSMEs.
“MSMEs are in a unique position where they will be able to open employment opportunities for themselves as well as other people,” he said. “MSME development is indispensable for the generation of employment and in the world at this time, MSME contribution to the GDP of developed economies is very high.”
He noted, as an example, that in Malaysia, MSMEs accounted for 36.3 per cent of Malaysia’s GDP, and 65.5 per cent of overall employment.
“In this, I would like to remind DARE to constantly monitor and look into the business and welfare of MSMEs and also update relevant data on it. This will help expand the business of MSMEs so that MSMEs’ contribution to the country’s economy and creation of local jobs is high.
“Entrepreneurs should be commended for providing a service and contribution, not only for themselves but also for the country in general,” he added.
Concluding his speech, the minister said, “Addressing the issues of unemployment does have its challenges. Efforts and manpower planning that are being driven by the government can still be described as work in progress.
“All parties must play a role in terms of a whole-of-nation approach – from the government, private sector, non-governmental organisations and jobseekers themselves. Even with the challenges faced, there is wisdom behind it that can be obtained and subsequently used to take the opportunities that exist to develop Brunei Darussalam, our beloved country.”
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