DILI, 15 march 2022 (TATOLI) – Another 98 young Timorese people will depart for Australia under Pacific Labor Scheme (PLS) and Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) after signing their employment contract with the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment at the Magdalene Canossa Hall, in Dili, today.
Of the 98 workers, 41 would be working under the PLS program in rural and regional Australia for up to three years, while the rest would be working under SWP.
Ninety-two of these workers would be leaving on wednesday (16/03), and six others would be departing for Australia on friday (18/03).
Since the implementation of the Seasonal Worker Program in 2011, the Government of Timor-Leste has sent more than 5000 young Timorese workers to Australia. Currently, more than 1000 young Timorese are still working in Australia.
These workers have so far contributed more than US$14 million to Timor-Leste.
This year, SEFOPE had planned to send more than 3000 Timorese workers abroad, including 2800 workers to work in Australia, and 500 workers to work in South Korea.
From january to march 2022, SEFOPE had sent more than 300 Timorese workers to Australia.
State Secretary for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE), Alarico de Rosário called on these young Timorese workers to not breach the rules and regulations of PLS and SWP.
“You are representing Timor-Leste in Australia. So, forget about your martial and ritual arts groups to not make any trouble while working in Australia,” Rosario said.
The National Director of Foreign Employment (DNEE) of SEFOPE, Filomeno Soares called on the families of the 98 workers to accept any difficult situation facing these Timorese workers in Australia: “They will probably face a fatal incident that may cost their life.”
At the same place, the Director-General of SEFOPE, Paulo Alves urged Timorese workers to send money back home to improve their families’ economic hardship.
“You need to avoid spending money on purchasing unnecessary things so that you can save enough money for your family,” Alves said.
During the signing of the employment contract, the workers pledged to not violate the established rules and regulations.
Merlinda da Costa Soares, one of the PLS workers read workers’ solemn promise to obey and comply with rules and regulations.
“As a young Timorese worker, I will be representing my beloved country in Australia. Therefore, during my time in Australia, I must behave well at my workplace. I mustn’t violate Australian law. I must not drive under the influence. I must not involve myself in drugs trafficking and prostitution. I must not violate my current visa to seek temporary visa protection for my own benefits. I am agreed to be deported back to Timor-Leste if I breach any of these regulations,” Soares read the statement in front of SEFOPE and family members.
Last month, Prime Minister Ruak and his Australian counterpart discussed the importance of labor mobility in promoting economic recovery in both countries. Timor-Leste has a pool of more than 6.500 fully vaccinated workers ready to mobilize to Australia. The strong demand for workers in Australia is expected to lead to a substantial expansion in 2022 in the number of Timorese workers employed under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
Last month, both foreign ministers of Australia and Timor-Leste discussed the issue of Labor Mobility in a bilateral meeting held in Canberra, Australia. During the meeting, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Timorese workers are highly valued by Australian employers, saying Australia will welcome as many Timorese workers as possible.
The two Foreign Ministers concluded their meeting by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) Scheme.
Related news:Message to SWP Workers: Stay on the Farm, for Australia and for Timor-Leste
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
