A TASK force has been formed to see that reasonable wages are given to
local lower-skilled employees in the oil and gas industry, the Minister of
Energy at the Prime Minister's Office said yesterday.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu
Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar
(pic) said the task force, which was set up with the consent of His Majesty the
Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, is chaired by Permanent
Secretary (Downstream and Power) at the Department of Energy Hj Jamain Hj
Julaihi, and the permanent secretaries at the Ministry of Finance and the
Ministry of Home Affairs.
The swift creation of the Task
Force for Reasonable Wages in the Oil and Gas Industry is part of the
government's response to complaints from low-skilled Bruneians working in the
sector, which were brought to the Energy Minister's attention last month when
he met new recruits and apprentices in the oil and gas industry.
Speaking at the Brunei Shell
Joint Venture vendor forum yesterday, YB Pehin Dato Hj Mohammad Yasmin cited
two examples of unfair practices.
The first involved discrepancies
in fuel allowances, whereby expats had their commuting costs covered; which was
a significant issue for locals who commute from other districts, he said.
The second complaint was that the
workers were not being paid the amounts stated on their contracts with
contractors.
The minister said these
complaints called into question "the integrity and honesty of companies
that are guilty of such practices" and that "paying lower than the
specified pay grade is both unethical and dishonest".
Meanwhile, YB Pehin Dato Hj
Mohammad Yasmin was quick to point out that he did not endorse favouritism
towards locals.
"I strongly believe in the
merit system, that pay must be linked to performance and productivity," he
said, warning local employees not to think that just because they were locals
they could demand certain privileges.
It is also incorrect to compare
remuneration packages offered by the government to those offered by the oil and
gas industry as the latter is dependent on the market, he added.
YB Pehin Dato Hj Mohammad Yasmin
also said that "a market-driven remuneration package would be much better
and more satisfying than those offered by the government".
He also warned nationals not to
abuse their position, after incidents of local employees bullying foreigners
came to light.
"I send a straight message,
if I receive (such a complaint) I will not tolerate (it). The foreigners are
here to help us and develop our country. That is very important. Locals have to
do their part and work hard, and they have to make sure they are competent as
well," the minister said, adding they cannot expect things to be given to
them on a "silver platter."
"Nobody has the right to
abuse any of the foreigners in Brunei. In cases like this of people bullying
the foreigners, I give my strongest condemnation, and it is un-Bruneian.
Bruneians are friendly people with high respect for people, and it is
un-Bruneian to bully another foreigner," the minister added.
AARON ALWINES
The Brunei Times
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