Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BANDARSERIBEGAWAN172
2009-07-17 04:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Cable title:  

BRUNEI'S REACTION TO 2009 TIP REPORT

Tags:  KTIP ELAB KWMN PGOV PHUM BX 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBD #0172/01 1980442
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170442Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4589
UNCLAS BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000172 

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/TIP/CHANCW, EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIP ELAB KWMN PGOV PHUM BX

SUBJECT: BRUNEI'S REACTION TO 2009 TIP REPORT

-------
SUMMARY
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UNCLAS BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000172

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/TIP/CHANCW, EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIP ELAB KWMN PGOV PHUM BX

SUBJECT: BRUNEI'S REACTION TO 2009 TIP REPORT

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1.(SBU)Starting on June 18,2009, Bruneian media began coverage of
the Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) 2009 report. Front
page coverage, as well as subsequent follow up articles, continued
throughout June. Particular attention was paid to the issue of
domestic servant abuse and forced labor. On June 28, Brunei's
Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) issued a press release, stressing
there is "No Human Trafficking in Brunei" and insisted that Brunei
is not a hub for recruitment of men and women for domestic or
low-skilled labor. This has been the only formal response from the
Government of Brunei (GoB). However, in July, the International
Organization Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
(MFAT) approached and met with Embassy officials to discuss how
their office can be of assistance in addressing the issues raised in
the report. MFAT is currently working with the Department of Labor
and other GoB agencies about legal and procedural changes that can
be made to improve Brunei's labor standards, enforcement, and victim
assistance. End Summary

FORCED LABOR: REACTION
--------------
2.(SBU)On June 18, 2009, the two leading local English language
papers gave front page coverage to the State Department's 2009
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. Local bloggers including the
popular "Bruneiresource" and "Lifestyle" blogs also reported on TIP.
Throughout the remainder of June, the report generated articles in
local papers and feedback on the popular Brudirect "Have No Fear,
Have Your Say" online forum. One expatriate columnist, David R
Smith, wrote an op-ed and claimed; "one only has to drive around
Brunei to see foreign workers living in ramshackle corrugated iron
shed with little or no access to running water." However, Smith did
not state that foreign workers were suffering from direct abuse
within the workplace or from employers. Another columnist, Azlan
Othman from Borneo Bulletin, said; "Employers and foreign workers
have mixed reactions on the issue of days off, with employers being
concerned their maids would get into a wrong company on their off
days while foreign workers welcome the move." On June 24, a

prominent Bruneian employment agency, Amal Lee Manpower, told the
Brunei Times that "employment agencies are blameless for helpers'
plight." Amal said that employment agencies are simply responsible
for the work permit paperwork, application insurance, travel
arrangements, and medical screening. Amal did state that domestic
helpers would have to settle any fees owned to their agents here and
in their home country.

GoB OFFICIALLY SAYS LITTLE ABOUT TIP REPORT
--------------
3.(SBU)On June 25, 2009, ten days after the release of TIP Report,
the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) - responsible for labor and
immigration issues - issued a press release, responding to the
flurry of articles and comments made by the public. The press
release stated that the TIP report was not produced by the United
Nations or other international organizations. In addition,
trafficking was not an issue in Brunei as there was not "one
reported case" during the past year. The MoHA also stated that
employment regulations are enforced and that complaints are
investigated. This is the first time the GoB has given an official
response to the TIP Report. This was also the only official response
provided by the GoB. There was no official notification or follow up
requests made to the embassy following the report's release.

HOWEVER, MFAT WANTS TO HELP
--------------
4.(SBU)On July 13, 2009, Charg and Political Assistant met with Ms.
Florence Chong, Director of the International Organization,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). Florence was
accompanied by Princess Mansurah, the daughter of Prince Mohammad,
Brunei's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Ms. Chong said MFAT
was shocked and unsatisfied to find Brunei's ranked as a Tier 2
country, especially since Brunei was not ranked in previous reports.
However, MFAT did not lodge an official complaint or otherwise
indicate this opinion would be released to the public. Charg noted
the changes in the TIP legislation were one of the reasons why
Brunei was included and ranked in this year's report. In addition,
the concerns regarding forced labor and the large numbers of
immigrant workers were also discussed. Ms. Chong noted that the MFAT
is working with different GoB agencies, especially the Labor
Department. She said that the GoB would like to address concerns
raised in the report, especially in regards to victim assistance and
improved labor regulations and standards. Ms. Chong noted that the
MFAT will play an active role in coordinating GoB actions in regard
to the TIP report because senior MFAT officials were very concerned
about Brunei's ranking in the report.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------

5. (SBU) The release of TIP report opened up a dialogue among the
Bruneian public. Many expressed their concerns in online public
forums or in the local print media. They are not afraid to say
there is room for improvement, especially in the laws and
regulations to prevent foreign worker exploitation. A public
awareness campaign would be of great assistance in educating the
public on what the GoB is doing to prevent trafficking and assist
victims. Initially, the GoB viewed TIP as an issue that only
involves prostitution. However, after discussions with Embassy
officials and better understanding of the TIP report and
legislation, there is a better understanding that trafficking also
involves forced labor and exploitation of foreign workers and
domestic helpers. The increased involvement of the MFAT will lend
additional clout to the efforts of various GoB agencies to improve
legislation, increase enforcement, and enhance victim assistance.

MCINTYRE