Many people in Brunei, expats and locals choose to employ an Amah for housework and babysitting. If you are interested in employing a foreign domestic worker (amah), you must take out a private license before you officially employ one.
Most domestic helpers are Bruneian and Philippine nationals but there are also Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese amahs working in Brunei. All foreigners require a license, sponsorship, housing and rates of payments vary depending on the job details.
The process of sponsoring a full time Amah can take up to 2 months from initiating an application, and sometimes longer during Covid restrictions. Agents, such as Teras Maju Employment Agency are available to help you through the process for a fee. However, undertaking the paperwork yourself is doable.
An amah who holds a green Identity Card (IC) will need a license, accommodation, sponsorship, even if she is already working in Brunei and simply transferring from one employer's sponsorship to another. Before you make a formal offer of employment, you must ensure that the amah's IC is up to date and her employment pass has at least three months left to run so she is legally covered during the transfer process. If either document expires before or during this period, the Brunei Government will not allow transfer and she will have to return to her home country and start the application process from the scratch.
Please note: When employing an amah, you must register with the SSO in accordance with your Licence to Occupy SFA.
In accordance with policy, those occupants wishing to employ an Amah need to gain authority from the SSO. It is also a requirement to update and submit a copy of your amah’s renewal of employment pass and identity card on expiry to SSO office. The following documents are required:
1. Photocopy of Amah Brunei green IC
2. Photocopy of Amah passport (front and back).
3. Photocopy of Amah passport new employment stamp.
An application form for domestic helpers can be collected from the SSO Welfare & Housing Office, in Chit Chat Community Centre Tuker Lines.
Amah Bond (Repatriation Cost)
Each sponsor/employer must provide the repatriation bond as a condition of being granted an employment license. The cost varies between nationalities and simply covers the cost of an air ticket to the amah's home country should be repatriate for any reason.
At the moment, the bond for Philippine nationals is $600. The sum will be refunded in full when the license is cancelled but it can not be sold on to your amah's next employer as they must take out their own license before employing the amah. In the event that you choose to cancel your license, your bond will not be refunded.
Salary and Benefits
Once your amah is formally named on your license, you will be expected to provide her with accommodation and a negotiable wage for the duties agreed. The ongoing rate among the expat community is between $550 to $700 per month for a full-time (6-day week) domestic worker.
Should your amah refuse to stay in your quarter, you are not obliged to pay for her housing allowance as the quarter is fully fit for purpose and fulfills your obligation. However if you live in a flat or a quarter without amah accommodation and are not willing to give her one of your bedrooms, you are then obliged to pay an accommodation allowance. The minimum accommodation allowance payable to the amah is $200 per month on top of the salary.
Amah Bond (Repatriation Cost)
Each sponsor/employer must provide the repatriation bond as a condition of being granted an employment license. The cost varies between nationalities and simply covers the cost of an air ticket to the amah's home country should be repatriate for any reason.
At the moment, the bond for Philippine nationals is $600. The sum will be refunded in full when the license is cancelled but it can not be sold on to your amah's next employer as they must take out their own license before employing the amah. In the event that you choose to cancel your license, your bond will not be refunded.
Salary and Benefits
Once your amah is formally named on your license, you will be expected to provide her with accommodation and a negotiable wage for the duties agreed. The ongoing rate among the expat community is between $550 to $700 per month for a full-time (6-day week) domestic worker.
Should your amah refuse to stay in your quarter, you are not obliged to pay for her housing allowance as the quarter is fully fit for purpose and fulfills your obligation. However if you live in a flat or a quarter without amah accommodation and are not willing to give her one of your bedrooms, you are then obliged to pay an accommodation allowance. The minimum accommodation allowance payable to the amah is $200 per month on top of the salary.
Termination of Contract
The employer must give a one month notice to the amah before the termination date. One month salary as well as a flight back to their home country will be given to the amah.
Agents
Finding an Amah can often be the easy part! Navigating through the process and paperwork of the various labour and immigration departments can be both tricky and time consuming although not impossible.
Following many years of service, the local Agent Alvin has recently announced his retirement and is no longer contactable to process and answer Amah queries on behalf of BFB Garrison.
If you have a new, existing or outstanding Amah processing issue, please engage directly with Teras Maju and explain your situation, they are aware and will support in resolving any issues.
Teras Maju Employment Agency, based in Kuala Belait are able to provide support with the Employment and Transfer of Amah's and manage the process of application through the various government departments and have agreed to take on Alvin's legacy work for the Garrison.
To find out more about Teras Maju Employment Agency and the services they offer CLICK HERE and email: admin@terasmajuemploymentagency.com Tel: +673 7239911
Please see below an example of the rates and fees for Teras Maju Employment Agency and CLICK HERE to download the form along with a summary of the paperwork requirements for the Amah Process HERE
