DILI, 08 july 2021 (TATOLI) – Director of the Department of National Worker Exterior (DNEE) Filomeno Soares informed that one of the Timorese workers in South Korea was recently identified by the South Korean Ministry of Health as positive for syphilis.
“I am very disappointed that he does not want to collaborate with the Ministry of Health of South Korea instead he has gone into hiding and has become a fugitive in South Korea, this is very disappointing,” said Soares at the Becora National Training Center to Journalist of TATOLI News Agency on wednesday.
Regarding this incident, the South Korean Police and Immigration have conducted a search for an Timorese who is currently still hiding himself because South Korea does not accept diseases such as syphilis, hepatitis B and other infectious diseases in South Korea.
Soares explained that the South Korean government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had given a warning to Timor-Leste regarding this incident.
Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste together with SEFOPE have coordinated with the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean Immigration Office on this issue.
“We have coordinated with the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the immigration authorities if found to be deported to Timor-Leste,” He said.
Previously there were 63 people who departed a few months ago with healthy and health conditions were free from COVID-19 but when they arrived in South Korea and rechecked their health there were 3 people who were positive for COVID -19 but they were quarantined in South Korea and have been working as usual but the other one was found to have syphilis and has been hiding in South Korea and now is wanted by the immigration and South Korean police.
We hope that he will surrenders and immediately deported to Timor-Leste so that we can improve Timor-Leste’s reputation internationally.
From the bitter experience, South Korea will accept workers from Timor with caution, therefore in the future for those who want to work in South Korea it will be very strict, especially one’s health must be checked repeatedly before leaving to South Korea.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor:Rafy Belo
