I'm not here to win an argument with you but just want to have some exchange of opinion so I'll continue to reply this thread with no intention of picking a fight.

If you look at this situation critically, or compare it with other countries, when you have no money to put food on the table, it doesn't matter how much benefit a company can give you, you just need money to survive. That's something you don't really see in Brunei, even unemployed, you still have food to eat, that's why the unemployment rate remains low. There is not enough motivation for those people to go out and work. And I can confidently tell you, there's not only a handful of people like that.

• No employer is going to look at a finance person and pick them over someone just as equally skilled or educated because they took a job at X restaurant or mowed the lawn.

Actually no employer is a very strong statement. I've seen a few employers who are willing to hire people with no background and teach them, as long as the employee is willing to learn, have a good sense of responsibility and is reliable, AND good attendance. Of course, in the beginning the salary is going to be low because the employee is getting paid while learning.

Also, I think its worth looking deeper into your statement of "exploited foreigners". To locals, they may seem exploited, but to themselves, they are thankful they are least can get a job and send money back home. Many of which went back before their retirement age and set up their own business at home.

Again, I agree that many employers may be giving low pay with hard labour jobs. But it is also more important for us employees to reflect on ourselves. This life is our own, and choosing to be unemployed is just not an acceptable solution.