Ministry of Finance and Economy through Weights and Measures Unit (SDT), Industry & Business Ecosystem Division (IBE) conducted a joint Enforcement Operation together with Tabung Amanah Pekerja (TAP), Brunei Muara District Department and Labour Department, Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday, 26th October 2022.
The Operation was a routine enforcement initiative to ensure weights and measures machines used for business activity are registered and verified in accordance to the Weights and Measures Act 1983 Chapter 151. The Operation also enforced Section 26 of Employee Trust Act (Chapter 167) and Section 29 of Supplemental Contributory Pension Trust Order 2009, Minor Offences Act (Amendment 2021) and Chapter 112(1) and (2) employ workers without a license from the Labour Commissioner and the terms for hiring foreign workers.
During the Operation, SDT officers found several supermarkets and retail stores in Kampong Jerudong and Kampong Sengkurong did not correctly display net weight on packaged products such as vegetables, fruits, dry food and meats and several instances of displaying misleading weight marks on packages. Management and packing workers officers were shown the proper and correct practice of packing and weighing procedures. Warning Notice were issued to the companies involved. SDT also seized one (1) unit of a non registered weighing machine used for trade purposes. The company was given a Seizure Notice and is required to report to the Weights and Measures Unit office within seven (7) working days from the date of issuance.
Retailers are reminded to ensure that any pre-packed goods sold to consumers are required by the Act, to carry a correct and clear indication of the net weight or measure of the product in a position on the item which can be clearly seen. Failure to comply with or contravene with any provision of the Act is an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of BND500.00 and imprisonment for a period of three (3) months.
As stipulated in the Weights and Measures (Verification) Regulations, 1994 under section 3(2); Every person who uses or has in his possession for use for trade any weight, measure or instrument for weighing not stamped as required by this regulation shall be guilty of an offence. 6. The penalty for such offence is a fine of BND1,000.00 or imprisonment for three (3) months or both and the instrument in question shall be liable to be forfeited and any contract, bargain, sale or dealing made by such weight, measure or instrument for weighing shall be deemed void.
For any enquiries, the public may contact SDT via email: sdt@mofe.gov.bn.
Meanwhile, it was also found that two (2) employees from two (2) companies were not registered with TAP. The Brunei Muara District Department also issued two (2) compounds on Usahaneka Ira Maya (BND1,000.00) and Cally Laila Management Services (BND500.00) for offences related to littering in public places. While three (3) companies were found to be committing an offence under Chapter 112(1), employing workers without a license from the Labour Commissioner and Chapter 112(2), violating the term of hiring foreign workers. It was also found that one (1) foreign worker is currently working without a license and a total of nine (9) foreign workers are carrying out work different to that stipulated as their designated positions.
Source: Ministry of Finance Brunei Darussalam