DILI, March 13, 2021 (TATOLI) – The Agriculture companies from the Tasmanian held a meeting with the Timor-Leste Ambassador to Australia, Inês de Almeida, to ask the Timorese government to send 300 workers to work in Tasmania for fruit harvesting.
“I met with two employers of Tasmanian agricultural workers last week and asked me to send 300 East Timorese workers for next June. However, due to the current situation of covid-19, the Australian Government does not allow foreigners to enter the country”, Inês de Almeida, in the interview with Tatoli via WhatsApp.
Ms Almeida also recalled that Timor-Leste records new cases of covid-19, which the Australian government considers an obstacle to allow the Timorese workers into the country next month.
“Employers in the agricultural sector are demanded the workers from the Asian Pacific country to work in the Companies for harvesting the fruit. However, with this situation, the Australian Government is currently analyzing the possibility for the workers to entering the country”, he said.
According to the ambassador, the Australian Government is very strict in implementing the rules for the prevention of covid-19.
Almeida added that her embassy has already forwarded a message to the Timor-Leste Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC) about the issue.
“The Companies are willing to charter a plane to transport Timorese workers next month, from Dili to Australia.”
Journalist: Hortencio Sanchez
Editor: Francisco Simões
