(Bandar Seri Begawan, 8th) – A Filipino woman and a licensed employment agency manager pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court on October 21 and November 5, 2025, respectively, admitting to violations of the Employment Agencies Order, 2004. The offenses included operating an employment agency without a valid license and loaning a license to an unlicensed individual.
According to a press release from the Department of Labour today, 56-year-old Filipino woman Imelda admitted to operating an employment agency around February 2024 without holding a valid employment agency license issued by the Commissioner of Labour. Investigations found that she was engaged in the recruitment of foreign workers, charging a fee of 350 Brunei dollars and issuing receipts under a company name.
Under Section 6(1) of the Employment Agencies Order, 2004, no one may operate an employment agency without a valid license. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Firdaus stated that Imelda was charged under Section 6(2) and was ultimately fined BND 1,000 by the magistrate; in default of payment, she would serve one month in prison.
Meanwhile, Cai Yingxia (age 43, local woman), the licensed manager of TTSG Employment Agency, also pleaded guilty on November 5, 2025. She admitted to loaning her license to Imelda around March 2024, allowing her to illegally recruit foreign workers. Investigations revealed that Cai knew the other party did not have a license, yet still allowed her to use the company’s name for applications, charging 400 Brunei dollars for each approved application.
The Department of Labour stated that TTSG Employment Agency's acceptance of Imelda's clients and payments was considered assisting illegal operation. Cai was charged under Section 31(f) of the same order, which prohibits loaning or transferring an employment agency license. She was ultimately fined BND 2,000, and in default of payment, she would serve two months in prison.
The Department of Labour reminds the public that no person is permitted to engage in employment agency activities without approval from the Commissioner of Labour; licensed establishments are also not permitted to loan their licenses to others and must strictly comply with the Employment Agencies Order, 2004.
If the public discovers any violations, they may call 8753594 or email agensisemuakan@buruh.gov.bn
to report them. The list of licensed employment agencies can be found on the Department of Labour’s website http://www.labour.gov.bn/Theme/Home.aspx
for reference.
Under Section 6(1) of the Employment Agencies Order, 2004, no one may operate an employment agency without a valid license. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Firdaus stated that Imelda was charged under Section 6(2) and was ultimately fined BND 1,000 by the magistrate; in default of payment, she would serve one month in prison.
Meanwhile, Cai Yingxia (age 43, local woman), the licensed manager of TTSG Employment Agency, also pleaded guilty on November 5, 2025. She admitted to loaning her license to Imelda around March 2024, allowing her to illegally recruit foreign workers. Investigations revealed that Cai knew the other party did not have a license, yet still allowed her to use the company’s name for applications, charging 400 Brunei dollars for each approved application.
The Department of Labour stated that TTSG Employment Agency's acceptance of Imelda's clients and payments was considered assisting illegal operation. Cai was charged under Section 31(f) of the same order, which prohibits loaning or transferring an employment agency license. She was ultimately fined BND 2,000, and in default of payment, she would serve two months in prison.
The Department of Labour reminds the public that no person is permitted to engage in employment agency activities without approval from the Commissioner of Labour; licensed establishments are also not permitted to loan their licenses to others and must strictly comply with the Employment Agencies Order, 2004.
If the public discovers any violations, they may call 8753594 or email agensisemuakan@buruh.gov.bn
to report them. The list of licensed employment agencies can be found on the Department of Labour’s website http://www.labour.gov.bn/Theme/Home.aspx
for reference.