What happens now?

This blog has been left in hiatus for a long time.  Not that we didnt pursue the business any longer but we had encountered a few hurdles and problems along the way.

Especially on the labour department part and then problems with the arrival of our tailors.

I ordered 2 tailors but both havent arrived yet.  Imagine its been 3 months!!  One employment agency promised to bring the tailor last November but no show until now.

The other tailor arrived but after a week decided to quit because she admitted she didnt have the right skill and experience to work as a tailor in Brunei. She told us the materials were too hard to sew.  Duh.. why she was willing to come and convinced everyone that she had the right skills and experiences to do the job, I have no idea.

So the agency needed a replacement for me which I suspected will take a few more weeks.

Very frustrated indeed.

In the meantime, we tried to get on with our life, and the business...  We started the business bit by bit.  We sell ladies materials and attires such as tudongs, shawls, pashminas and jubahs.  So far business was ok and I am glad Alhamdulilah.

Main entrance to my boutique

My boutique reception and cashier area

Items on sale

Workers update

Found two sewers (tailors) for my boutique.  Both Filipino and I hope will arrive soon and safely.  Time to start the business after the long hiatus.  I am also hoping all will go well and they will do a great job for the business.

 

Although I am a bit weary on how much it cost to do this, I selected the workers from different employment agencies with different charges.

 

One charge me a whooping B$3000!  They charge B$1600 for their services (does this include the labour deposit?  I dont know and I need to find out!).  Then another B$1400 which I could claim by deducting the worker salary for 4 months.  Her salary will be B$350 whereby meals and accomodation will be provided.  Another agent, charge me B$1600, and I have to pay the airfare for this other worker.

 

Both agents are now processing the whole employment thing and I am hoping all will go well.

Labour Quota

Long overdue post!

Our labour quota has been approved about 2 weeks ago.  Now we can hire workers, a big and important step to start both of our businesses.  Although we are a bit dissapointed when they cut down the number of workers we could hire.  Hubby requested for 10 workers but only allowed 5.  I requested for 3 but only 2 allowed :(

Hubby has his workers ready already, 2 chefs and 2 waitresses so we straight away contacted the workers agent and started the processes of hiring them.  The rules say all must be done through the agent so we depend on them to keep the ball rolling.  I hope they can speed up the whole thing and get the workers here asap.  Too much time has wasted already. 

Unfortunately I havent got any candidates yet, not confirmed ones that is.  I have one tailor, a male, a relative of the chef but not sure if this is confirmed or not.  So I am trying to find tailors or seamstresses.  I've been calling a few workers agents but so far no luck yet.  So I am in a limbo, and dont know for how long!

Labour Dept Issues

Thats the title of this post - basically we are frustrated and upset.

All are done, the restaurant is ready to operate.  We even have 2 Indonesian Cooks to hire but we are unable to do it because our Labour Quota to hire foreign workers has not been approved!

Its almost 2 months now.  We went twice to ask about the progress but its still not done.  What the hell is going on?

My quota is now with the Committee to be approved - although not yet.

My hubby's quota is still pending.  The latest requirement which we just knew about in the weekend was, hubby has to send a completed picture of the restaurant.  (Last time hubby only send uncomplete picture).  This requirement was stated on 15/08 but we didnt know about it until last weekend when we checked.  Why didnt they call us to inform us about this?  Rather than waited for us to come and check?  So we had to go back, took picture of the restaurant and send them back.

Then more waiting of course, hubby's application has to wait for the next commitee meeting which they didnt know when that happens.  The last committee meeting was on the day we went to check huhu.  So we dont know when it will get approved.

Another thing that bothers us is the Indonesian Cook we wanted to hire is impatient.  He needs job and wants to look for other job if we dont hire him soonest.  Its very complicated and we knew he is desperate to find jobs but our hands are tied.  So looks like we may lose him if the quota is not approved within the next few weeks.  And its not easy to look for workers with the right calibre, experience and skills.

Sigghh......

My tailoring shop update - Long Hiatus

When did I last update about my tailor shop? Its been a while.  What a long hiatus.  Well... the fact is we are still waiting for the approval of our quota, by which this will enable us to hire foreign workers.  Its still at Labour Department.

And today we were visited by the officers from Labour Department to check the shop and the staff house to ensure we provide proper accomodations and working environment for all these workers we are going to hire.

And I know we provide good accomodations for them and good working conditions.  So I am hoping there wont be any issues on this and our request for quota will be approved.  And get this show on the road!

Pictures taken outside my tailoring shop :)

Hubby Restaurant Update - Constructions finished!

Yaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy............

 

Look at these pictures!  The restaurant is now done, constructions has finished and let me present to you our new restaurant.!

 

Very very excited.  We are almost there.  After more than 2 months these are the finished products.  Looks amazing, I couldnt believe these are ours.  Our very own restaurant!  How cool!!!

 

Although.. let me just take a deep breath for a while.... huhu...

 

There are still alot to be done.  Alot of shopping, alot of decoration ideas.  Stuff to settle,  Things to do.  And workers to hire.  Menu to prepare.

But I am so happy that we come this far.  Its such a nice feeling to be able to witness this.  Its like a new baby for hubby and I :)

 

So looking forward to make this place come alive.

 

Updates will continue soon with the latest developments until this place is fully operational.  Its going to be exciting for the next few months.

 

:) :) :)

 

Hubby Restaurant Update - The Airconditioners

The airconditioners are now fixed.  There are 3 of them altogether.  One with 2.5 hosepower, the other 2 are 2 hosepower.  I am sure these are sufficient to cool the place, especially when there are patrons there.

 

Hubby opted to purchase the new type of aircon called the Inverter Air Conditioners .  They look similar like the normal aircon but they could save the electricity bills since there are no stop-start cycles like the normal aircons, thus lead to efficiency.  Although these types are a little bit more expensive but we are thinking of long term usage so we are excited about this.

The Inverter Airconditioner