Three years ago, Brunei said it would offer flexible hours, two-day weekends, and workplace childcare as part of the Mental Health Action Plan. Fast forward to now, and we’re still seeing burnout rates climb, families struggling with crazy schedules, and that promise just hanging out as “a study.” How much longer can we keep working on the old clock while expecting everyone to help reach Vision 2035?
Brunei is looking into flexible working hours in the public sector and possibly changing the workweek. Ministers are starting to admit that the policy “has potential,” but it’s still stuck in committee reviews and service checks.
This was shared in the Legislative Council, where the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Defence confirmed that they’re comparing practices with the private sector and overseas models, including insights from Singapore’s civil service. They’re also thinking about changing the current Monday–Thursday and Saturday schedule to find “a more suitable one.”
Brunei’s civil service hours are still tied to rules from over 60 years ago. The schedule, set back in the early 1960s, hasn’t changed much, even though life, work, and family dynamics have shifted a ton.
Officials point to the pandemic years as proof that smaller teams supported by tech can keep essential services running. But any changes now depend on the Public Service Transformation Committee and careful planning to make sure counters, clinics, and permits don’t come to a standstill.
For many families, the real question isn't whether flexibility is needed - it's that it's way overdue. Back in April, KopiTalk with MHO shared the stories of Aina, a civil servant and mom of two still working Saturdays, and Hamzah, a retail worker putting in over 50 hours on minimum wage. Their experiences show a country where long hours and low morale have become the norm.
Bruneians are putting in some of the longest hours in Southeast Asia. According to ILO data, Brunei averages 47 hours a week. For comparison, Malaysia averages 45 hours, the Philippines 43.2, and Indonesia 40.6. Singapore and Thailand are around 44–45 hours, while Vietnam is at 48. Cambodia leads ASEAN with over 49 hours a week. Even with its small population, Brunei ranks high in the region.
Parents are facing a tougher situation with the new full-day school system, where kids finish classes around 3 p.m. while office hours stretch to five. Without predictable flex times or “core hours,” families are left scrambling for childcare and racing against the clock every day.
Work-life balance was promised in the Mental Health Action Plan 2022–2025. It highlighted flexible hours, two-day weekends, and even childcare support. Three years later, things are still stalled while burnout stats keep climbing. The silence has been louder than the promises, and people are getting impatient.
A solid rollout would be easy: set up core hours for front-line services, try out compressed weeks in back offices, and publish KPIs - like queue times, call-centre response, and system uptime - to reassure everyone that efficiency won't take a hit.
The private sector is watching, too. Oil and gas companies have quietly adopted flexible practices and remote work, but most SMEs are still stuck with six-day schedules and blurred lines between work and rest. Government leadership could set a national example and help break the cycle of fatigue.
For families, real relief would mean two uninterrupted days off, school hours that align with work hours, and workplaces that treat people like humans—not machines. For the state, it would mean healthier, more productive citizens who can actually help carry Vision 2035.
The government says flexi hours “have potential.” But the people, feeling the strain day in and day out, have a sharper question: if not now, when? (MHO/08/2025)
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment