DILI, 21 february 2023 (TATOLI) – Timor–Leste Trade Union Confederations (TLTUC) demanded the eighth constitutional government through the Minister of coordinating Economy Affairs (MCAE) to approve minimum wage for Timorese domestic workers, before the ending of its mandate.
General Secretary of Timor–Leste Trade Union Confederations (TLTUC), Etelvina Sarmento said TLTUC demanded the eighth Government to approve the Decree-Law on the minimum wage, before the end of its mandate.
“The minimum wage is a determining factor for improving family life, so you should analyze the social aspect such as poverty, malnutrition, and child labor, among others. Therefore, the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs should soon speed up the proposal of the National Labor Council. The value of the minimum wage should be based on the proposal of the National Labor Council that was presented in 2020. We asked the Government to approve the Decree-Law, before the end of the mandate”, said the General Secretary of the General Union of Workers Timor-Leste, Etelvina Sarmento told journalists, in Bemori, tuesday
According to the official, the minimum wage proposal is only presented by the National Labor Council, Thus, the Government still does not determine the minimum wage for workers.
This article foresees that the National Labor Council has competence for social dialogue and consultation between social partners, it is advising on the elaboration of policy and legislation to be related to the employment real situation, proposes a national minimum wage, and other functions that the law attributes to it.
Concerning this issue, the National Labor Council proposes the Government approve the US$ 150 monthly for workers.
The representative considered that the law nº 8/2022 15 June a great option of the Plan for 2022 foresees the minimum wage of 135 dollars. It was only the policy of the Government. However, the determination for revising the minimum wage must be proposed by the National Labor Council.
The General Director of the State Secretariat for Vocational Training and Employment, Paulo Alves, recognized that a Decree-Law is needed to reinforce the determination of the minimum wage for workers.
“We have presented the bill to the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, we hope it will be approved,” he said.
Alves also explained that the minimum wage should meet the needs of workers in accordance with economic and social evolution.
Journalist: José Belarmino de Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
