DILI, 04 july 2022 (TATOLI) – Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Julião da Silva and Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak discussed the repatriation of the 13 Timorese in Germany and another 20 workers in Malaysia.
After they arrived in Germany, these 13 Timorese were jobless and seeking support from the Timor-Leste Embassy in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. While the 20 other Timorese workers in Malaysia are currently experiencing the same situation.
These workers desperately need Government intervention to help them return home.
“Today, we discussed with Prime Minister Ruak to find a solution for these fellow Timorese workers who are currently stuck in Germany and Malaysia. They are jobless and don’t know who to turn to, where to go, or anything. Therefore, the Government’s responsibility is to protect them and help them return home,”Julião da Silva said.
Asked about how many Timorese people are currently stranded overseas, Silva said Timorese diplomats overseas will find out those Timorese migrant workers and their whereabouts.
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.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC) has no money to facilitate and purchase the Return Flight Tickets for these Timorese migrant workers: “That’s why we discuss the matter with Prime Minister Ruak to find the solution for them.”
“The return tickets for these people could cost more than US$10.000. We can use the money to do something valuable instead, for instance, rehabilitating schools or clinics,” he said.
Silva stressed that next time, the recruitment agency or the workers will pay for the return flight tickets themselves.
On the other hand, the Seven Timorese female workers who identified with the initials BS, ECdR, L, P, M, A, and A are on the way home and expected to arrive in Timor-Leste this week.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
