BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Brunei is preparing to introduce a minimum level of salary for workers in the private sector, said the country's Labor Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In a written response to public inquiry published on Wednesday, the Labor Department acknowledged that currently Brunei does not implement any mandatory minimum level of salary.
However, it noticed that this is "an increasingly important topic that affects the wellbeing and welfare of the citizens of Brunei Darussalam working in the private sector."
According to the government agency, the level of wages in Brunei are left to market forces, to be negotiated freely and agreed with between the employers and employees, which is similar to a few other developed economies.
"Current practice ensures that wages are competitive, based on qualifications and takes into account the affordability of companies to employ workers, sustain and grow business operations to employ more of the existing jobseekers in the labor market", the Labor Department said.
"However, initial work towards establishing a minimum level of salary for workers in the private sector is currently in progress."
"Extensive and in-depth work is required to ensure a minimum wage level that is balanced and well-accepted by all stakeholders in the economy," the Labor Department added. Enditem
