BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The government is still reviewing a flexible working hours policy for the public sector, a proposal that was raised during last year’s Legislative Council session.
During a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday, Pehin Dato Hj Halbi Hj Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, said the Public Service Department is conducting an in-depth study on the existing work week and workplace arrangements.
The study includes benchmarking against the private sector in Brunei, as well as other countries that have adopted flexible working arrangements in their civil service.
A separate comparative study is also being carried out by a Bruneian public service officer currently placed in Singapore, looking into the suitability of implementing such a policy in Brunei.
Pehin Dato Hj Halbi added that the government is considering a change in working days, which are currently Monday to Thursday and Saturday, to a “more appropriate and effective schedule”.
The minister explained that the goal of these changes is to promote a better work-life balance and support mental health initiatives for public sector employees.
“This initiative is fundamentally viable, but remains subject to further review and evaluation at the Public Service Transformation Committee,” he said.
“The role of digital technology is also crucial in ensuring effective and convenient delivery of government services. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when core government services continued to function by deploying minimal staff while fully leveraging digital technologies.”