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 
 
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SUMMARY 
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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 
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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. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶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