brunei darussalam country report
TRANSCRIPT
Page | 1
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
COUNTRY REPORT
The 9th ASEAN & JAPAN High Level Officials Meeting on Caring Societies:
“Human Resource Development in the sectors of Welfare and Health ~ with a focus on capacity building of service providers and employability promotion of
vulnerable people”
25TH October – 28TH October 2011
Tokyo Japan
Organized by
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan
Page | 2
1. FOLLOW UP OF THE 8TH HIGH LEVEL OFFICIALS MEETING ON
“POVERTY ALLEVATION WITH A FOCUS ON VULNERABLE PEOPLE”
Coordination and collaboration among responsible government agencies and concerned
NGOs has been one of the crucial factors in poverty alleviation. Several programmes and
policies have been initiated by various agencies such as the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry
of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Home Affairs and as well as the
Department of Community Development, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports. In addition
to government agencies, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also play a role in
poverty alleviation. These include the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation, the Islamic
Religious Council who provides assistance in terms of welfare benefits. These relevant
ministries and NGO’s disseminate and share the information regarding the services for the
poor and vulnerable groups and encourage discussion on social protection concepts and
components including development of a framework on poverty reduction.
Study on Poverty in Brunei Darussalam by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports showed
that more than 5000 families fall in the category of the poor and needy. The development of
trade and industry sector is among the initiatives taken by His Majesty’s Government to
tackle poverty and unemployment.
2. BRUNEI DARUSSALAM IN BRIEF
Brunei Darussalam is a small country with great potential. Strategically located on the north-
west coast of the island of Borneo, right in the heart of Asia, it is just two to three hours
flying distance from most ASEAN countries. Brunei has a total land area of 5,765 km² and
over 160 kilometers of coastline along the South China Sea. Sitting on the equator, Brunei
Darussalam enjoys an equatorial climate with an average temperature of about 28° Celsius,
high humidity and heavy rainfall.
Brunei Darussalam is a member of, among others, the association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), Commonwealth, the United Nations (UN), Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). Brunei Darussalam sees these
Page | 3
regional and international associations as important platforms to interact with other member
nations in the areas of economic security, politics, as well as social and cultural for mutual
benefit and cooperation. Highest human development index in the Islamic world (Human
Development Report 2009) Brunei offers a high quality of life, ranking the highest in the
Islamic World and 3rd in Asia, according to the UNDP Human Development Index 2009.
2nd highest quality of life in ASEAN (Human Development Report 2009).
The current 9th National Development Plan (2007-2012) marks a strategic shift in the
planning and implementation of development projects, as it is the first national development
plan to have been formulated in line with the objectives of Brunei Darussalam’s recently
launched long-term development plan, better known as “Wawasan Brunei 2035”, or “Vision
Brunei 2035”.
9th NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
(2007 – 2012)
TOTAL
ALLOCATION
$BILLION (9.5 BIL)
100%
Human Resource Development 295,466,800 3.1
Social Services 'B' 1,761,451,800 18.5
Source: Department of Economic Planning and Development
Population
Latest statistics put Brunei Darussalam’s population at 406,000 and growing at an average
rate of 1.8% per annum. Brunei Darussalam has a multi-racial society, comprising of 67%
Malays and 15% Chinese. Other races such as Indians, indigenous ethnic groups and
expatriates make up the rest of the country’s population. Brunei Darussalam has a young
population: 54% are in the 20-54 working age groups, another 39% are below the age of 19
while only 7% are 55 and above.
According to the social Statistics Sections of the Department of Economic Planning and
Development, as of July 2009, Brunei’s population was estimated at 406,200. About 66
percent of the population is Malay, 11 percent Chinese and 23 percent are of Indigenous
people. An increase of 2.1 percent between mid 2008 to mid 2009 was recorded to the
statistics.
Page | 4
Roles of Community
Brunei Darussalam has a personalized form of government in which elected village heads
continue to play an important role in the community. With their proximity to the grass roots,
these community leaders such as Penghulu and Ketua Kampong (Village Heads) are well
informed about their community members and can guide the community under their
respective villages especially the vulnerable groups. With the establishment of the Councils
of Village Consultation around the country by the government under the auspices of the
Ministry of Home Affairs the aims of the councils are also to involve all the communities in
promoting values of shared responsibility towards the realization of caring society.
The role of civil society is also acknowledged to complement and supplement government
efforts. Towards this end, one of the strategies adopted by government is the community
participation approach in tackling poverty. It is believed that society as a whole can play an
important role in providing a better and secure future especially for the socially vulnerable
groups of society. “One product One village” is a programme where One village produces
one competitive and staple product as a business to gain sales revenue to improve the
standard of living for the residents of that village.
Human Resource Development
In Brunei Darussalam, human resource development in the public sector is administered by
the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The Civil Service Department under the PMO deals with
the planning, managing and developing of human resources in government departments.
Page | 5
STATISTICS ON POPULATION
Page | 6
Page | 7
STATISTICS INFORMATION ON NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
INFORMATION / YEAR
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Crude Birth Rate (per 1,000 population) 18.7 17.0 16.2 16.1 16.3
Total fertility Rate (per women15 – 49 years old) 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7
Crude Death Rate (per 1,000 population) 2.9 2.9 3.0 2.7 2.9
Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000 live births) 7.4 6.6 7.6 7.0 7.4
Under 5 Mortality Rate (per 1,000 live births) 9.4 9.2 9.5 9.5 8.2
Life Expectancy At Birth: Male
Female
75.2
77.8
75.9
77.5
75.2
77.8
76.6
79.8
77.1
78.3
Page | 8
INFORMATION / YEAR
2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09
2009/10
Total Health Budget (B$ millions) 240.86 244.33 259.72 264.44 286.82
Health Budget as % of National Budget 6.82 6.73 6.96 7.08 7.29
Per Capita Health Budget (B$) 681 638 666 664 706
Health Budget as % of GDP 1.52 1.34 1.41 1.30 1.84
Total Health Expenditure (B$ Millions) 275.39 254.68 294.82 322.13 317.40
Health Expenditure as % of Government Expenditure 7.95 6.80 7.38 8.41 7.07
Per Capita Health Expenditure (B$) 744 665 756 809 781
Health Expenditure as % of GDP 1.74 1.40 1.60 1.58 2.03
Page | 9
STATISTICS ON LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Page | 10
3. OVERVIEW OF SERVICES AVAILABLE IN RELATION TO EMPLOYMENT AND SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
At present, the Ministry of Home Affairs provides job seeking services for unemployed citizens through a dedicated agency in promoting employment in Brunei. On the other hand, both the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Health are providing services which are related to capacity building and promoting employability of vulnerable people. 3.1 MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE TERMS AND CONDITION EMPLOYMENT IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
The Employment Order 2009, which came into operaion on 3rd September 2009, is the
main legislation governing the terms and conditions of employment in Brunei
Darusalam. It covers all persons who are employed under a contract of service, which
may be written or implied but excludes seamen, domestic servants, and any person
employed in a managerial, executive or confidential position. Civil servants and all
employees of statutory bodies are also excluded.
The Employment Order sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment.
As to attract and retain valued employees in an increasingly global market. The terms
and conditions are as follows:
(I) Contract Of Service And Termination Of Contract
Which covers a contract of service creates the relationship of employer and employee.
It is a written or oral agreement containing the terms and conditions of employment.
The agreed terms and conditions of employment cannot be less favourable than the
Employment Order. Meanwhile the Constitutes A Termination Of Contract covers a
termination of contract may occur when the worked has been completed or when a
Page | 11
date specified in the contract for the expiry of the contract has been reached. Either
party has decided to end the contract with appropriate notice in accordance with the
terms of the contract. There has been a Breach of Contract and the other party wishes
to terminate the contract.
(II) Payment of Salary
There is no minimum salary in Brunei Darussalam. It is subject to negotiation and
mutual agreement between an employer and employee. An employee must be paid at
least once a month. All salary, other than overtime payment, must be paid within 7
days after the end of the salary. Salary for overtime must be paid within 14 days after
the end of the salary period. If an employee resigns and has served the required notice
period, he must be paid all salary due to him on the last day of employment. If an
employee resigns without notice or without serving the required notice period, he
must be paid all salary due to him within 7 days from the last day of employment.
There is no deductions other than those allowed under the order or ordered by the
court, can be made by an employer. The deductions from the salary allowed under the
order are for : absence from work, damage to or loss of goods/money, cost of meals
supplied by the employer at the request of the employee, house accomodation, for
amenities and services, the recovery of advances, loans or adjustment of overpayment
of salary.
(III) Hours of Work and Overtime
It is the period during which an employee is expected to carry out the duties assigned
to him by his employer. It does not include any intervals allowed for the rest, tea
break and meals. For a non-shift worker, the hours of work shall not be more than 8
hours a day or more than 44 hours a week. For a shift worker, the hours of work shall
not be more than an average of 44 hours a week over any continuous period of 3
weeks subject to a minimum of 12 hours a day. All work in excess of the above hours
shall be considered as overtime work.
Page | 12
An employee is not allowed to work for more than 12 hours in a day (inclusive of
overtime work) except in the following circumstances i.e. accident, actual or
threatened, work which is essential to the life of the community, work which is
essential to national defence or security, urgent work to be done to machinery or plant,
an interruption of work which was impossible to foresee. In the case of a shift worker,
he is not allowed to work more than 12 hours a day under any circumstances.
Overtime has to be paid if the employee is required to work beyond his contractual
hours of work. Payment for overtime work must be paid within 14 days after the last
day of the salary period. An employee is permitted to work up to a limit of 72 hours of
overtime in a month. However, this limit may be exceeded if approval has been
granted by the Commissioner of Labour.
(IV) Rest Days
An employee is entitled to 1 rest day (midnight to midnight) each week without pay.
The rest day shall be on a Sunday or any other as rostered and informed by an
employer before the beginning of each month. For a shift worker, the rest day can be a
continuous period of 30 hours.
(V) Public Holidays
An employee is entitled to 11 public holidays in a year.
(VI) Annual Leave
An employee is entitled to take paid annual leave for each year of service depends on
what is stated in the employment contract which shall not be less than the following :
Page | 13
YEARS OF SERVICE DAYS OF LEAVE 1st 7 2nd 8 3rd 9 4th 10 5th 11 6th 12 7th 13
8th and thereafter 14
(VII) Sick Leave
An employee is entitled to 14 day’s outpatient sick leave and 60 day’s hospitalisation
leave (including the 14 days outpatient sick leave) provided he satisfies the following
conditions such as must have worked for at least 6 months, has obtained a medical
certificate from the company doctor.
(VIII) Maternity Leave
All female employees covered under the Employment Order are entitled to 9 weeks of
maternity leave i.e. 4 weeks immediately before the delivery of her child, 5 weeks
immediately after the delivery of her child. By mutual consent, the last 4 weeks of the
maternity leave can be taken within 6 months from the date of delivery. A female
employee must satisfy that she has served for more than 180 days and only 8 weeks
are entitled to receive payment benefit.
THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (LEWDA) His Majesty Paduka Seri Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has
consented support Addressing Issues Committee Unemployment for the upgrade,
modify and change the title of Jobs Center Local Department of Labour to the Local
Employment and Development Agency Labour (LEWDA) and then upgraded to be
incorporated as a Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Page | 14
Originally known as the Local Employment Service Section under the Department of
Labour. In August 2008, Local Employment Service Section moved from the Labour
Department’s Headquarter to a new building called the former Government House.
The Section changed its name and known as ‘Employment Centre’. On 13 April 2010,
the Employment Centre was upgraded and absorbed in Ministry of Home Affairs, and
then recognised as ‘Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency’
(LEWDA). LEWDA is considered as one of the agencies that help unemployment
among the locals in Brunei.
Brunei Darussalam became the 180th member of the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) on January 17, 2007 and according to the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) the meaning of "Full Employment" is a 3% unemployment rate.
According to Brunei Darussalam Key Indicators 2009, published by the Department
of Economic Planning and Development, unemployment in Brunei Darussalam was
3.7% in 2008, which is calculated as "Full Employment”. Brunei is considered as
voluntarily unemployment and as tell receive foreign workers to fill up jobs namely in
construction industry, mining industry, forestry industry and fishery industry.
Majority of jobseekers register at LEWDA are the ones with lower qualifications
which stated 89%. Most of them are at the age of 18 to 24 years old which stated
50.3%. Thus LEWDA concentrate in giving them training skill in order to make them
more marketable in the labour market area. Most of them still depend to work with
public sector because the group of SMEs in Brunei is consider very small number
compare with other developing countries.
The Establishments of LEWDA
Local Employment and Workforce Development Agencies (LEWDA) main function
is to give jobseekers job depending on the availability of job in the market. The names
are then channel or distributed to the relevant vacancies with respect to the required
qualifications, both to the private and public sectors. LEWDA act as an interview
coordinator for the application to the private sectors, including during the Career
Page | 15
Carnival and Mini Career Carnival which are held yearly. Other LEWDA functions
are :
• Provide various statistics of jobseeker registered • Implements Training Employment Scheme and Induction course under the Human Resource funds to the jobseeker. • Conducts appropriate relevant trainings as a joint venture with the private
sector. • Gives tailor made training skills required by the private sectors. • Provides counselling service to the jobseekers and local workers on specific labour issues. • Settles any complaint issues received both from local employees and employers. • Holds worksite inspection where local employees work. • Participates in Career Fair organized by the other agencies which related to employment opportunities. • Give Career Talk to the students and other agencies. • Consultation / discussion with employers in the private sector to prioritize locals intake in their companies. Organisational Structure of LEWDA
Page | 16
Other Skill and Training Provided To The Jobseekers
To ensure jobseekers registered at LEWDA more marketable in the labour market
area, the major scheme is Training Employment Scheme under the Human Resource
Funds. LEWDA act as implementer in giving various training skills those are tailor-
made to the jobseekers, to ensure the specific relevant skills are met to the
requirement in filling up vacancies at private sectors which is in conjunction with His
Majesty’s Titah during his 65th birthday celebration, 15 July 2011, where His Majesty
has consented that three stages under this scheme to be implemented under the Human
Resource Funds. One of it is the improvement of the current on-going Training
Employment Scheme under the Human Resource Funds with the giving-out of
financial incentive to the trained locals, as long as they continuously work at the
private sector.
Under this scheme, every jobseekers will be given the opportunity to be trained with
respect to their interest with incentive allowance depending on their attendance during
the training targeting to 150 jobseekers per month. At the end of the training, they will
undergo On The Job Training for 6 months. In completing the On The Job Training, a
2 years working contract will be sign between LEWDA, the private sector (employer)
and the candidate (employee) where the kind incentives will also be given during 2
years work.
Induction course is one of the course under the Human Resource funds given to the
jobseeker. Every jobseeker will be given opportunity to be trained under this course
which covers Islamic religious, Employment Oder 2009, IC3 computer courses,
English language exercises and self-motivation camp. At the end of the training,
certificate will be given to those jobseekers who have successfully completed their
training.
Short Courses with Private Sector will be given to the jobseekers. The type of courses
are Write a CV, interview and Tips Attend "Personal Grooming", Accounting Courses,
“Opportunity Scheme For Youths”, Cleaning and Maintenance, Agent Insurance and
Book Keeping. Under this joint venture training, every jobseekers will be given the
opportunity to be trained. At the end of the training, certificate will be given to those
jobseekers who have successfully completed their training.
Page | 17
STATISTICS ON THE NUMBER OF JOB SEEKERS REGISTERED WITH LEWDA
Page | 18
STATISTICS ON REGISTERED EMPLOYED JOBSEEKERS AT LEWDA
Page | 19
3.2 MINISTRY OF CULTURE, YOUTH AND SPORTS
Organizational Structure of The Social Welfare Sector
Since 1954, the Department of Community Development (DCD) has administered social
welfare programmes by providing welfare benefits in cash and in kind to the elderly and
persons with disability. It also provides rehabilitation and counselling services as well as
assistance to the vulnerable in acquiring employment and small business set‐up to gain
self‐reliance.
The Department of Community Development is established since 1st July 1954 and
previously known as The Customs, Religions and Welfare Department. The Department of
Community Development, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports provide financial assistance
and programmes to the vulnerable people in Brunei Darussalam. This includes the pension
schemes for the aged and the disabled. Welfare benefits for the needy including orphans,
start-up entrepreneurial funds for the needy, search for employment, and awareness
programmes on family cohesion, parenting skills, communication skills and the provision of
support and services such as counseling.
The Government has also sought to reorient the poverty alleviation programmes by laying
emphasis on opportunities for income generation, empowerment and security. The approach
Page | 20
is to expand the capabilities of the poor through greater access to self‐reliance, new skills,
services and resources while encouraging and enhancing economic activities to support
entrepreneurship and income generation.
As part of the providing elders and persons with disability, the Department of Community
Development (DCD), Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports (MCYS) have introduced the
Self‐Reliance Scheme to its welfare recipients in June 2006. This micro‐financing scheme
provides seed capital to initiate or expand small‐scale businesses with exemption of interests,
administrative charges, guarantor requirements and collateral. Its objectives are to help
alleviate the financial burdens and change the crutch‐mentality of welfare recipients by
reducing their independence on welfare benefits to support their livelihood and by stimulating
a culture of self‐sustenance. The targeted group consists of poor vulnerable people with
limited income; the unemployed and those with limited income‐generating skills as well as
entrepreneurial willpower. These activities are funded by Brunei Darussalam’s National
Welfare Fund whose financials are contributed mainly by individuals, communities,
associations and private sectors. The repayment rate out of total disbursements is 29.2 per
cent.
To ensure the sustainability of DCD’s entrepreneurship programme, a new programme called
the Empowerment Programme was introduced in January 2011. This new programme is run
with financial resources from the Ministry of Finance and is expected to be more effective
than the Self Reliance Scheme as the applicants are required to undergo mandatory training
on business management, entrepreneurship, self‐development and skills training before the
micro financing can be disbursed. The Empowerment Programme is planned to be
implemented twice a year and the first session of 2011 was conducted in cooperation with the
Youth Development Centre (YDC) which was responsible for the training program, while the
DCD undertook the micro-finance disbursement, payment collection and monitoring the
progress of the applicants’ businesses.
Another initiative towards empowerment is the establishment of the Youth Development
Centre (YDC) in 1996 under the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports (MCYS) with the aim
Page | 21
of providing skills training and self‐development for unemployed youth who could not
proceed with formal education.
To ensure that no citizen is deprived of basic human needs, the government has implemented
and promoted various social safety net programmes. Brunei citizens and permanent residents
who have reached the age of 60 years old and above are eligible for an Old Age Pension of
BND250.00 (USD208.00) per month in accordance to conditions stipulated under the Old
Age and Disability Pensions Act 1954. Provisions of pensions and welfare support for older
citizens are sometimes supplemented to protect them from poverty. Most of the old age
pension recipients are women. This is due to women achieving life expectancy of 77.83 years
compared to 73.32 years for men (2009 est.).
Realising that human resources are the most valuable asset and key to its future, Brunei
Darussalam puts priority on the social welfare and development of its people including
women, children and older persons. Various policies, community programmes and social
services have been undertaken in caring for the socially vulnerable groups of this country.
The primary goal of welfare programme in the country is to promote the well being of the
country’s vulnerable people including the elderly and the persons with disablity (PWD). The
Old Age and Disability Pensions Act 1954 (An Act to provide for pecuniary payments by
way of old age pensions, pensions for the blind persons, allowances for dependents of
persons suffering from Hansen’s diseases and lunatics, disability pensions and such other
pensions and allowances as His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan in Council may
prescribe and for all matters incidental thereto. Commencement: 1st January 1955)
Statistics as of September 2011, the Old Age and Disability Pensioners registered under the
Department of Community Development (DCD) is 23,769 people. The Pensions and
Allowances aims to improve the quality of life of elderly people in the country. The
objectives were to ensure the well-being of elderly people in Brunei and as a recognition and
appreciation for their contribution in developing the socio-economy of the country.
Table 2 shows trends in the numbers of recipients are as follows:
Page | 22
2009 2010 Sept 2011
Recipients of old age and disability pensions
19,757 21,010
23769
Table 2: Statistics of Old Age and Disabled Pensions Recipients (September 2011)
For the recipient of welfare benefits, the challenge is to shift them towards more income
generating activities and to become more reliant. In September 2011, the Department of
Community Development launched a new scheme called the Community Service Scheme
which runs on the basis of the “work for aid” concept to assist poverty-stricken families and
vunerable people in serving the community and preparing them for reintegration to society.
The Community Service Scheme for Monthly assistance Recipients was imposed with a
condition where recipients are required to participate in community work to be eligible for
the monthly assistance provided by the Department of Community Development (DCD). The
scheme is designed for individuals aged between 18 and 55 facing difficulty in supporting
their families due to unemployment, as well as single parents and vunerable people. Under
the scheme, trainees or recipients are to carry out community service 24 hours within a month,
or six hours in a week for the period of time they are receiving assistance from DCD.
Community work to be done include cleaning up public areas such as schools, mosques and
government buildings; charity work as well as working for welfare institutions.
Another initiative under the Department of Community Development (DCD) is the Centre for
the Disabled which is an institution that provides basic life-skills, income-generating skills
training and work attachment for disabled people of primary school age to 40 years old so
that they can participate and contribute meaningfully the society.
The services provided by the centre are as follows: -
Basic Orientation Training Programme.
Vocational Training Programme.
Industrial Training Programme.
Overseas Scholarship Programme.
Government Scholarship in Tahfiz Institute.
Job Placement for Vocational and Training Programme.
Page | 23
Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme.
Special Aids and Appliances.
Sports for Persons with disabilities.
Vocational training programme caters for Persons with Disability (PWD) aged in the 18 years
old and above. The training offered includes:
o Woodwork.
o Reflexology and Traditional massage.
o Home sciences (cookery, hand-weaving etc.)
o Computer classes.
o Religious classes.
Trainees are granted with allowance:
Grade Level Allowance
E Probation ‐
D Probation $40.00
C Low $72.00
B Average / Moderate $120.00
A High $180.00
SPECIAL Specialised $240.00
The Industrial Training Programme was established in the 1990s and is also closely
collaborated with Job Placements/attachments programme. The Training is aimed for PWDs
at the age of 18 years and above. It offers vocational trainings such as: -
• Hand-weaving
• Home sciences
Page | 24
• Woodwork
• Cookery
• Braille
• Computer
• Religious Education
• Reflexology.
These trainings are held in the respective Pusat Bahagia as a preparation for PWDs for
employment in the future and allowances are granted as an incentive to the persons with
disabilities (trainee) according to their performances :
Grade Level Allowances
D Probation $120.00
C Low $180.00
B Average / Moderate $240.00
A High $350.00
LEGISLATION, POLICIES & MEASURES
Brunei Darussalam is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(PWDs) in its effort to further promote the rights of PWDs in Brunei Darussalam. Thus, a
National Committee / Task Force were set up to oversee this Convention led by the
Community Development Department.
There is a possibility of the ratification of this Convention and hence, ensuring the enactment
of appropriate legislation (A proposed draft of the Brunei Disability Order has already been
submitted), which would address issues of PWDs on the rights-based approach.
In Brunei Darussalam, there are various legislations / policies that ensure welfare for all. At
present for example, The Old Age and Disability Pensions Act (Cap 18) is the legislation,
among others, concerning the distribution of allowances for PWDs aged 15 years old above.
Page | 25
It provides for pecuniary payments by way of old age pensions, pensions for blind persons,
allowances for dependants of persons who are suffering from Hansen’s disease and lunatics,
disability pensions and such other pensions and allowances as may be prescribed.
Also, with the implementation of a National Policy (an education system suited for the 21st
century skills and competencies [referred to as “Sistem Pendidikan Negara Abad ke-21” –
SPN21 ]), ensures the provision of education that caters for the needs of all children. Through
the implementation of the Inclusive Education System, children with special needs are able to
attend mainstream schools where support services and appropriate resources are in place to
meet their special needs.
Treaty Obligation
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Year of signatory: 18 December 2007.
• International Labour organization Convention No. 159
• Year of signatory: 17 January 2007.
• Convention on the Rights of the Child [27 December 1995].
• Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW) [24 May 2006].
• Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of Children,
Child Prostitution and Child Pornography [21 December 2006].
• United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crimes [25 March 2008].
• C182 ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 [9 June 2008].
• UN Convention against Corruption [2 December 2008].
Recently, Community Development Department is agreeable on the development of the
proposed ASEAN declaration on the enhancement of the role and participation of persons
living with disabilities. Brunei Darussalam is already a signatory to the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in its effort to further promote the rights of
PWDs in Brunei Darussalam. Therefore, the proposed declaration is an advantage to our
efforts in promoting PWD.
Page | 26
There are 7 target areas in aligned to the Biwako Millenium Framework that are priorities to
Brunei Darussalam, which includes:
(1) Self-help organizations of persons with disabilities and related family and parent
associations,
(2) Women with Disabilities,
(3) Early Detection, early intervention and education,
(4) Training and employment,
(5) Access to build environments and public transport,
(6) Access to information and communications,
(7) Poverty alleviation.
Private Sectors/ NGO Stakeholders
Special Committee on Disabled and Elderly established under the National Council on Social
Issues. The committee formulate policies and implementations with regards to the disabled
and elderly. Its members comprised all relevant government agencies as well as Non-
Government Organisations (NGOs) namely, the Social Welfare Council and the National Women
Council.
Over the years, Brunei Darussalam has seen an increase in the establishment of Non-
Government Organization (NGOs) pertaining to PWDs :
(1) The Association of the Handicapped Children (KACA),
(2) Paraplegic and Physically Disabled Association (PAPDA),
(3) Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam (Pusat Ehsan),
(4) Society for the Management of Autism Related issues – in Training, Education
and Resources (SMARTER),
(5) Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam (SOBD),
(6) Brunei Darussalam National Association For The Blind (BDNAB),
(7) Learning Ladders (for ASD) and,
(8) Persatuan Orang Kurang Pendengaran (OKP) for those with Hearing disability /
Impairment (HI).
Page | 27
Social and Economic Development
In terms of the social support for the elderly people, the Government continues to encourage
the participation and involvement of the elderly people in the development of the country.
Several projects and awareness programs were carried out to encourage the elderly to
participate in the society to the greatest extend possible and not to be seen as a burden to the
society. They are encouraged to organize themselves by setting up an association or a
committee through which they can contribute by actively being involve in various activities
that could maximize their potentials and their feeling of self-worth.
With regard to economic development, most of the elderly are actively engaged in the
production of local handicrafts and the government helps to promote their products through
expo’s and exhibitions.
Micro-Business Grants for Budding Entrepreneurs and Employment in Private Sector
Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) provided the Youth skills Development
Programme (YSDP) micro-business grants. The YSDP is run under the BEDB’s Micro
Business Development Initiative. The recipients who received a grant in the form of
equipment in order to start their business consisted of youths who have limited resources and
skills to start their own business or gain employment.
Constrains and issues on human resource development
In Brunei Darussalam, although there are regulations and legislation regarding the vulnerable
people especially the old age and disabled people in terms of welfare provisions there are still
gaps that exist. Although family ties in Brunei Darussalam are much closer this does not
mean that states will leave all responsibilities to the families to deal with alone because
families need space and thus the government should fill the gap in assisting the vulnerable
people in terms of facilitating them in their request for freedom or participating in society on
an equal basis with those who are able bodied. New legislation regarding disabled people
and the old age group needs to be fairer for them.
Public, Private and Non-Governmental Organization
The government of Brunei Darussalam recognizes the importance of the Human Resource
Development. The ROK-ASEAN Home Care Project for Older People is one of the project
Page | 28
that includes the collaboration from the government and the NGO’s. The objective of this
project is to develop Home Care model for older people that includes providing assistance for
the older people and enhance the involvement of children, family members and next of kin
towards the care of the elderly. It involves family members and volunteers visiting the
elderly to provide assistance. The activities includes promotes awareness among
stakeholders, conducting training for caregivers, sharing knowledge and experiences among
caregivers and service providers. This is to increase the skills and professionalism of the
social workers in handling the vulnerable people especially the elderly.
Page | 29
3.3 MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Information On Human Resources
Page | 30
The Ministry of Health’s contribution in the country’s human resource development process
is reflected from its commitment to accomplish the Health Strategy and Vision 2035 which is
aligned to Brunei’s National 2035 Vision. In the effort to ensure the people of Brunei
Darussalam are empowered to be equipped as a potential contributor to the nation’s
workforce, the Ministry of Health through its strategic planning strives to provide a
comprehensive healthcare system that emphasises service excellence. For the context of
human resource development, the strategic theme encompasses the aims as follows:-
• providing comprehensive healthcare to the population
• adapting a holistic approach in the provision of healthcare focusing on promotive,
preventive, curative and rehabilitative
• upgrading core competencies
• ensuring professionalism and ethical standards
• continuous professional development
• evidence-based approaches, interventions and practices.
In the perspective of the health strategy and the contribution to human resource development,
strategies are focused on two areas, i.e. the provision of curative and rehabilitative services.
Nevertheless in this report, information on rehabilitative services is of emphasis.
Rehabilitation being in the cycle of health continuum is defined as an active and dynamic
process by which a person with a disability is empowered to acquire knowledge and skills to
help maximize physical, psychological, and social functions. It is a process which helps to
maximize functional ability and minimizes disability and handicap, thus promoting activity
and participation. It is through rehabilitation patients are helped to restore their life skills so
to be able to go back to the community and contributes to the country’s human resource
development.
For the purpose of defining the term socially vulnerable people and the issue of employment,
patients of this group are described as those who are suffering from a disease (including
chronic diseases), an illness or a disability in which these have a direct impact on their ability
to perform a job. The clientele for this group include people diagnosed with mental health
disorders, people experiencing physical disabilities and people suffering from kidney disease,
heart problems, so on.
Page | 31
From the standpoint of looking after the welfare of the socially vulnerable people, besides
undertaking initiatives to provide curative and rehabilitative services, the ministry had set up
a Medical Board. This board has adhoc committees in which the members comprise of the
medical doctors and officers from the Occupational Health Division. The members meet up
to assess and make decisions to confirm a patient’s disabled condition to consider whether the
patient is able to take up employment or not.
In the attempt to ensure these vulnerable people are given the attention and opportunity to be
part of the nation’s workforce, initiatives to help this group of people are undertaken through
the provision of professional assessments and treatments offered by medical and allied health
professionals. The services available include those provided by the Psychiatric Department,
Internal Medicine Department, Occupational Therapy Division and the Medical Social Work
Division. The occupational therapy and medical social work teams perform their roles in
managing issues of employment and health by working alongside other clinical and allied
health professionals within the framework of multidisciplinary approach especially with the
clinical teams aforementioned.
Page | 32
Organizational Structure of the Health Sector
Page | 33
(I) KIARONG MENTAL HEALTH REHABILITATION CENTRE,
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY
The centre started to operate in 2005 and the working days are Monday to
Thursday and Saturday with operating time 7.45 am until 4.30 pm. The mission
of the centre is to facilitate operational functioning and promote the quality of life
for people suffering from mental health problems through:
• detailed assessment of functioning
• planning of individualised rehabilitation program
• provision of psycho education for family once in every 3 months
The goal of the service is to ensure a person with a mental health problem has the
necessary physical, emotional, social and intellectual skills to live, learn and work
in the community with less support from carers and professionals. At present,
there are 22 patients attending the centre in which whom are mostly suffering
from schizophrenia. Other types of disorder include bipolar and depression.
Patients attending this centre are those referred by the inpatient, outpatient and
day care of the Psychiatric Department. All of these patients are identified as
stable patients whom are suitable to undergo rehabilitation.
In 2009, a skills activity program organised by nursing staff was started. In this
program, the patients are involved in activities of packaging materials for two
private companies. These activities generate income for the patient in which they
are paid a sum of money by the respective companies monthly.
TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS ATTENDING THE PROGRAM
YEAR 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 NO. OF
PATIENTS 41 37 40 27 20 16
TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW PATIENTS FOR THE YEAR 2005 - 2010
YEAR 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 NO. OF
PATIENTS 39 37 41 18 18 15
Page | 34
TOTAL NUMBER OF ATTENDANCES TO THE PROGRAM FOR THE YEAR 2007-2010
YEAR 2007 2008 2009 2010
NO. OF PATIENTS 364 412 295 355
(II) REHABILITATION MEDICINE UNIT, DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL
MEDICINE
The Rehabilitation Medicine Unit in RIPAS Hospital is a relatively new and
emerging specialty which is under the Department of Internal Medicine. The
objective of the Unit is to empower people with disabilities by providing
knowledge and teaching the necessary skills to them in order to promote their
activity and participation. This unit aims to strengthen its interdepartmental
collaboration with the departments of physiotherapy, occupational therapy,
speech and language therapy, clinical psychology, medical social work,
prosthetics and orthotics.
The types of services offered include assessment of functioning and treatment
with the use of different therapies, medical techniques and adaptive devices so to
support patients to achieve their optimal level of functioning. The therapy is
undertaken with the aims to improve function or adapt to new situations. Most of
the patients referred to this unit are patients whom need neuro-rehabilitation.
Page | 35
NUMBER OF INPATIENTS REFERRED TO THE REHABILITATION MEDICINE UNIT
MAY 2008 UP TO APRIL 2009
Month
Diagnosis
May 2008 to April 2009
May’2009 to April’2010
May’2010 to April’2011
Spine problems 21 17 8
Traumatic brain injury 9 12 6
Cerebro-vascular accident(CVA) 14 5 14
Tumor 4 4 4
Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome(GBS) 0 2 0
Others 8 18 8
Total 56 58 40
** This figure does not encompass the hundreds of patients seen by the allied health professions in isolation such as the occupational therapist and physiotherapist.
Page | 36
(III) OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DIVISION
The Occupational Therapy Division is a member of the Clinical Support Services
as part of Hospital Services under the Department of Medical Services. Its
mission is empowering through purposeful lifestyle for a healthy nation by
providing comprehensive and high quality services to all through health
promotion, education, rehabilitation and habilitation. The department undertake
purposeful interventions to promote health and achieve functional outcome. This
is done by developing, improving and restoring the highest possible level of
independence of any individual who is limited by a physical injury or illness, a
dysfunctional condition, a cognitive impairment, a psychosocial dysfunction, a
mental illness or a developmental or learning disability.
Service wise, the Occupational Therapy Division provides assessment, treatment,
education and consultation to patients and their families on interventions directed
toward developing, improving, restoring daily living skill, work performance,
play skill, leisure capacities and enhancing educational performance skill. The
division also provide interventions for the development, improvement, restoration
of sensorimotor, oral motor, neuromuscular functioning, emotional, motivational,
cognitive, or psychosocial components of performance. The main services
provided include as the following:-
• Driving Rehabilitation for the disabled
The types of clients seen for driving rehabilitation are Cerebral Palsy, Les Autres
(Dwarfism), Congenital Deformity (upper limb Amputation), stroke and partial
hearing loss (using hearing aids).
Neuro-Medical Cases
This include for conditions related to chest, renal, neuropathy, parkinson,
dementia and other medical conditions.
Neuro-Surgical
The Head Injury Programme caters for patients with conditions of traumatic head
Page | 37
brain hemorrhage (cerebral bleeding), pathology of the spinal cord
(Syringomyelia, Spondylolysthesis etc) and others (combination of head injury
and spinal injury etc).
• Orthopaedic
This include prosthetic rehabilitation (for lower amputated limb/limbs), burn and
scars management (provide pressure garment and massage therapy), spinal cord
injury and hand injury (provide pressure garment and hand therapy).
• Psychiatry
Service coverage include inpatients, Community (located in Day Care, Kiarong)
and care for patients with conditions of chronic and acute Schizophrenia,bipolar
mood disorders,severe depression and neurotic anxiety disorder.
(IV) MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK DIVISION
The Medical Social Work Division is also a member of the Clinical Support
Services as part of Hospital Services under the Department of Health Services.
The medical social work service was started in Brunei in the early 1980s and at
present the scope of service covers all areas within hospital and community health
settings. The main objective of the medical social work service is to provide
appropriate social care and support to patients and their families so that citizens
and residents of Brunei Darussalam are empowered to achieve their fullest
potential. The medical social work team undertake interventions to assist patients
and their families whom are socially at risk. In this context, socially at risk means
a situation where socio-economic and socio-emotional difficulties arise due to
social and health related issues.
In the context of intervention to assist patients or family members in need of
employment, the goal of the medical social work service is to provide
interventions which promote patients’ wellbeing so that they are empowered to be
independent and achieve quality of life.
Page | 38
In general, the Division plays a major role in liaising with other government
agencies such as the Community Development Department under the Ministry of
Culture, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Religious Affairs in ensuring the
welfare of unemployed patients and their families identified to be in dire need
receive appropriate assistance. Nevertheless, the Division also has undertaken
other efforts to strengthen the initiatives which have already been done. In this
regard, there are 2 main types of intervention offered by the Medical Social Work
Division in working with socially vulnerable patients experiencing employment
issues. Firstly, helping patients to retain their employment and second, assisting
patients to seek employment. In the perspective of preventing patients losing their
jobs due to experiencing new-found disabilities or suffering from an illness, the
service provided are focused more on providing supportive therapy to the patients
and their families and advocacy. Advocacy is undertaken through negotiation and
liaisons with employers to assist in the work adjustment process.
As for the point of helping patients to obtain employment, interventions
undertaken are as follows:-
• Provide guidance and counselling to patients or their families with regards to
helping them to decide about their future job prospects based on drawn up
clinical goals.
• Provide information to patients and their families about job opportunities and
how to go about in applying for employment.
• Undertake liaison with local private job placement agencies to help
accommodate patients’ application to obtain employment.
• Advocate for employment opportunities by carrying out negotiation with
managers of private companies with regards to patients’ application to be
employed.
Of all the cases referred for employment, the Medical Social Work Division deals
a lot more on referral received from the Renal Service. Even though renal patients
are not to be categorized under the group of people with disabilities, this patient
group are considered one of the vulnerable groups when linked to the prospect of
Page | 39
employment. Thus, the issues of renal patients and unemployment are managed
by the division as part of the Renal Department’s mission to advocate for
rehabilitation programmes which focuses on helping patients to continue their
livelihood through job security and employment.
Page | 40
NO. OF EMPOYMENT SEEKING CASES REFFERED TO THE MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK DIVISION RIPAS HOSPITAL
FOR THE YEAR 2008 UP TO SEPTEMBER 2011
MONTH
YE
AR
2008
NO.OF PATIENTS
YE
AR
2009
NO.OF PATIENTS
YE
AR
2010
NO.OF PATIENTS
YE
AR
2011
NO.OF PATIENTS
MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE JANUARY 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
FEBRUARY 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MARCH 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
APRIL 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0
MAY 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 0
JUN 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 JULY 0 0 0 1 3 1 1 1
AUGUST 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1
SEPTEMBER 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
OCTOBER 1 0 1 0 0 0 - -
NOVEMBER 1 0 0 0 1 0 - -
DECEMBER 0 0 1 0 2 1 - -
TOTAL: 8 3 6 2 12 2 8 4
11 8 14 12
GRAND TOTAL 45
Page | 41
SOURCES OF REFERRAL FOR EMPLOYMENT SEEKING CASES THE MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK DIVISION HOSPITAL RIPAS
FOR THE YEAR 2008 UP TO SEPTEMBER 2011
SOURCE OF REFERRAL
RENAL SERVICES
PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
NATIONAL CANCER CENTRE
REHABILITATION MEDICINE
NEURO CLINIC
HAEMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT
ORTHOPAEDIC DEPARTMENT
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
CENTRE
NATIONAL TUBERCLOSIS
CENTREB
PHYISICANS CLINIC
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
SERVICES
NO. OF CASES
REFERRED 23 8 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 3
1
GRAND TOTAL
45