DILI, 26 november 2021 (TATOLI)- The Government of Timor Leste through the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE) together with the South Korean Embassy in Timor – Leste today send another 21 Timorese workers to South Korea.
Ambassador of South Korea to Timor-Leste, Jeong Ho Kim said the sending of Timorese workers to South Korea has been done since 2009 and continued until now.
“I thanked the Government of Timor – Leste through the SEFOPE for collaborating with the Korean Government to send Timorese workers to South Korea to work in agriculture, industry, and fisheries’ companies, I am proud because since 2009 until now Timorese workers have shown discipline and good work performance in South Korea, I hope these new workers will continue to work discipline like the other Timorese workers in South Korea during this time,” Kim told reporters in International Air Port Nicolau Lobato, Comoro, Dili today.
Kim added that the sending of Timorese workers will be continued in the future. Therefore, I hope Timorese youth can collaborate with SEFOPE and take Korean language courses to prepare themselves before working in South Korea because the companies in South Korea will receive more Timorese workers in South Korea.
“I appreciate the SEFOPE ‘s program because by sending Timorese workers to South Korea, they will automatically send money to their families and improve their economic and contribute to the national development of Timor – Leste.”
The Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment, Alarico do Rosario appealed to 21 Timorese workers to adapt themselves to the situation and condition in South Korea.
“I urge you to comply with all applicable laws in South Korea, and discipline of work must be prioritized,” said Rosario.
Rosario also urges Timorese workers to save money to start some business in Timor-Leste when their contract period is end to ensure the sustainability of the economy in Timor-Leste.
Finally, on behalf of the Government of Timor – Leste and the families of the 21 Timorese workers, I thanked the South Korean Government and South Korean Companies through the Korean Embassy in Timor – Leste who have received Timorese workers during this time and hope that this bilateral cooperation can be continued in the future.
The representative of the Employment Permit System (EPS), Jooyun Yang appealed to the Timorese new workers to use the opportunity wisely to boost the economy of the family and the country.
Previously the National Director of Foreign Employment of SEFOPE, Filomeno Soares said that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of South Korea continues to offer opportunities for Timorese workers to work in South Korea.
“South Korea requested a big number of Timorese workers, but we can only send up to 70 people next month due to the limited flight tickets,”
Last month, 60 Timorese workers were sent to South Korea, 25 of them were supposed to be working in factories and the rest were in fisheries.
The Director-General of SEFOPE, Paulo Alves, had previously said that workers should prepare four thousand dollars for travel expenses – tickets, visas, accommodation, and quarantine.
“Before departure, workers will complete a day of quarantine in one of the quarantines Dili, which is paid by the workers and the cost is between US$30 and US$40 per night. When they arrive in South Korea, they will be quarantined for 14 days, and the cost is around US$1.500,” he said.
These 21 workers are under three to four years and eight months contract.
Since 2009, Timor-Leste had sent up to 3.636 Timorese youths to work in South Korea, of which 803 have returned.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges
