Local Employment Agency Owners Fined for License Violations

Bandar Seri Begawan: A local woman and the owner of a licensed employment agency pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court to charges under the Employment Agencies Order 2004, for operating an employment agency without a license and lending an employment agency license to an unlicensed individual.

According to Radio Television Brunei, 67-year-old Hajah Dayang Tirahmat @ Hajah Dayang Siti Armah Binti Haji Untong admitted to operating employment agency activities between October 2023 and January 2024 without a valid license issued by the Commissioner of Labour. During this period, she engaged in agency operations illegally, which led to her being fined $1,000 under Section 6 (2) of the Employment Agencies Order 2004. If she fails to pay the fine, she will face a one-month imprisonment.

In the same court proceedings, Suyanti Binti Haji Sarji, aged 56 and the owner of Suyanti Sarji Employment Agency, also pleaded guilty. She admitted to lending her employment agency license to Hajah Dayang Tirahmat, enabling the latter to carry out activities for the illegal recruitment of foreign workers. Suyanti was fined $2,000 under Section 31 (f) of the Employment Agencies Order 2004. In the event of a default in payment, she will be sentenced to two months of imprisonment.

The court has set the deadline for both accused to pay their respective fines as 13th May 2025.