DILI, 04 july 2022 (TATOLI) – The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Julião da Silva said the government will arrange the return tickets for the seven Timorese workers who are currently staying at the Timor-Leste’s Embassy in Jakarta after experiencing inhumane treatment at their workplace in Dubai.
“These workers have left Dubai and are currently staying at our embassy in Jakarta. So, the return tickets for these fellow workers would cost more than US$10.000,” Silva told reporters after meeting Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, at the Palace of the Government.
Related News:http://www.tatoli.tl/en/2022/07/02/seven-timorese-are-on-the-way-home-after-experiencing-inhumane-treatment-in-dubai/
The seven Timorese workers who identified with the initials BS, ECdR, L, P, M, A, and A left Timor-Leste for Dubai on may 19. Since their arrival in Dubai, they worked every day from 9 am to 9 pm and earn only 200 Dirham which equals US$54.
They departed for Dubai without signing any labor contract and experienced inhumane treatment committed by the company which they had been working for more tow months.
Silva said these Timorese workers will arrive in Timor-Leste within this week: “MoFAC will collaborate with other ministries to find solutions for those Timorese who are currently stranded in Portugal and other countries.”
When asked about how many Timorese people are currently stranded overseas, Silva said Timorese diplomats will find out those Timorese migrant workers and their whereabouts.
Silva thanked Timor-Leste Criminal and Investigative Police (PCIC) and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) for their efforts and collaboration to bring these workers back to Timor-Leste.
He said the investigation into the cases of sending workers overseas is underway: “We have received information about the Recruitment Agency who sent these workers overseas, but talking about the investigation is the job of the Public Prosecution.”
“Based on the information we received so far, these Timorese workers were recruited and sent by one and only Agency in Timor-Leste,” he added.
Silva said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC) has no money to facilitate and purchase the return tickets for these seven Timorese: “That’s why we discuss the matter with Prime Minister Ruak to find the solution for them.”
Silva stressed that next time, the recruitment agency or the workers will pay for the return tickets themselves.
During the meeting, Silva and Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak also discussed the repatriation of the 13 Timorese in Germany and another 20 workers in Malaysia.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
