Addressing Issues of Unemployment in Brunei

Siti Fatimahwati Pehin Dato Musa,Dk Siti Rozaidah Pg Hj Idris

doi:10.4018/ijabim.2020040106

Siti Fatimahwati Pehin Dato Musa, Dk Siti Rozaidah Pg Hj Idris

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4018/ijabim.2020040106

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Abstract

This study aims to investigate the issue of youth unemployment in Brunei by exploring the occupational aspirations of youth, the expectations of employers towards their employees, and the current policy initiatives of the government. The aspirations of youth were explored by conducting a series of focus groups among youths of different age groups and educational levels. The findings indicated that youths in Brunei preferred jobs that are prestigious, highly paid, stable, and are less likely to take risks. The expectations of employers, on the other hand, entailed a semi-structured interview to assess the employers' expectations for their current and/or prospective employees. The findings revealed that youths lack awareness on important employability skills that are critical for their entrance into and performance into the labour market. A majority of the employers attribute the lack of drive, entrepreneurial spirit, and awareness of the importance of leadership from an early age for employability and a need to strengthen collaborative development amongst the relevant agencies.

Highlights

Brunei’s long-term development plan, Brunei Vision 2035, aims to make Brunei, by 2035, a nation widely recognized for a world class education and skilled workforce, a high quality of life, and a dynamic and sustainable economy
The findings revealed that youths lack awareness on important employability skills that are critical for their entrance into and performance into the labour market
This is typical of a rentier state whereby the government redistributes the rent from oil in the form of providing more sought-after jobs with high incomes and benefits. This attitude of relying on the government for jobs and welfare partly shapes the occupational aspirations of young people creating a lower preference for jobs in the private sector and other sectors, such as construction and farming, which are considered demeaning and usually done by foreign workers. This is affirmed by other studies that have shown rentier states can lead to a “rentier mentality” that implies “a break in the work-reward causation whereby reward [and] income or wealth is not related to work and risk bearing, rather to chance or situation” (Belbawi, 1990)

Summary

Introduction

Brunei’s long-term development plan, Brunei Vision 2035, aims to make Brunei, by 2035, a nation widely recognized for a world class education and skilled workforce, a high quality of life, and a dynamic and sustainable economy. Youth unemployment has been on the agenda of International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1935 and one of the Sustainable Development Goals’ targets is to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all” (United Nations, 2018). Unemployed or underemployed youth are less able to contribute effectively to national development and have fewer opportunities to exercise their rights as citizens. They have less to spend as consumers, less to invest as savers and often have no “voice” to bring about change in their lives and communities. Prevalent youth unemployment inhibits companies and countries from innovating and developing competitive advantages based on human capital investment, undermining future prospects

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