DILI, 09 june 2022 (TATOLI) – Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, on thursday, after his weekly meeting with the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, has pledged to explore more opportunities for Timorese workers apart from South Korea, Australia, and the UK.
“Apart from South Korea, Australia, and the UK, we are also exploring more opportunities for our Timorese workers. For instance, Ireland, Japan, etc,” Ruak said at the Palace of President, in Dili.
He said as a new country, it’s still difficult for Timor-Leste to create job opportunities in the country, saying, therefore, sending workers overseas was one of the best solutions to reduce the unemployment rate in the country.
“We appreciate the commitment and dedication of the Timorese workers overseas. It’s not easy for every worker to leave their families and loved ones behind and work to contribute to the national development.
“They are our new heroes and we will continue to explore more opportunities for those who are willing to go and work abroad.”
Ruak revealed that in 2021, Timorese workers overseas contributed more than US$120 million to Timor-Leste.
Ruak said the contribution of the Timorese workers helped the nation combat poverty: “Thus, the Government will continue putting efforts to support these workers.”
Ruak concluded his statement by saying that having the opportunities to work in other countries gave the workers chances to gain valuable experiences and earn money to continue their studies.
It is estimated that up to 19.000 Timorese people are currently residing and working in the UK.
Earlier, the National Director of Foreign Employment (DNEE) of SEFOPE, Filomeno Soares revealed that since the implementation of the Seasonal Worker Program in 2011, the Government of Timor-Leste had sent more than 5000 young Timorese workers to Australia: “So far, these workers had contributed more than US$14 million to Timor-Leste,” he said.
Meanwhile, over 4000 workers had been also sent to South Korea since the introduction of the program in 2009, with more than 3000 Timorese workers still currently working in South Korea: “Every year, these workers contribute more than US$2 million to Timor-Leste.
“Since 2009, Timorese workers in South Korea have contributed more than US$39 million to the country. Hence, the income from this program is greater than the US$11 million that we have invested so far,” he said.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
