DILI, 24 june 2022 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta said he will talk with the Government of Timor-Leste to repatriate seven Timorese female workers who are currently living and working in the United Arab Emirates (EUA).
“I have no idea whether the information about these Timorese workers in Dubai was true or not. But I know for sure that up to now, there is no legitimate company in Timor-Leste that is responsible for recruiting and sending Timorese workers to Dubai legally. I know some will depart for Dubai in the coming weeks but in a legal way. So, I have no idea about these seven female workers. Therefore, if they are confirmed to be the victim, then I will have a talk with the government to repatriate these workers back to Timor-Leste,” Horta told reporters, in Dili, on thursday.
Seven Timorese female workers identified with the initials BS, ECdR, L, P, M, A, and A have suffered for more than two months at the hands of their employers in Dubai and are now crying for help.
The seven Timorese female migrant workers departed for Dubai without signing any labor contract with the recruitment agency which they are currently working for. However, the documents of the workers had been kept by the employers since their arrival in Dubai. Meanwhile, keeping someone else’s passport is technically illegal in the UAE. These workers are not allowed to have their mobile phones with them, but some of them managed to hide their phones to keep in touch with their loved ones back home.
To solve the situation facing these Timorese women, the Head of State called on the relevant authorities to take immediate intervention to ensure those responsible for such illegal activities can be held accountable.
Horta called on young Timorese people to be careful with those illegal companies that are currently recruiting people in Timor-Leste.
“There is a possibility for Timorese people to work overseas but it has to be through a legal way. For instance, going to Australia and South Korea. Timor-Leste hasn’t signed any official agreement with any Recruitment Agency in the country. You need to confirm with the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE) about working overseas,” Horta warned.
The Head of State emphasized that many Timorese people had been cheated in the past 20 years of having good jobs overseas, saying it’s not only happening in Timor-Leste but also in other countries as well.
Related News:http://www.tatoli.tl/en/2022/06/24/seven-timorese-women-suffer-in-dubai-and-cry-for-help/
Jorunalista: Antónia Gusmão
Editor: Julia Chatarina/ Nelia Borges
Translator: Filomeno Martins
