DILI, 28 July 2023 (TATOLI)—The National Director for Foreign Workers, Filomeno Soares said, seven Timor-Leste Citizens who were previously detained by the South Korean Migration Police have been deported to Timor-Leste, for illegally working in South Korea.
“Seven workers were previously detained for leaving the system had been deported to Timor-Leste last week,” said Filomeno Soares to Tatoli in Becora, this Wednesday.
He explained, according these seven illegal workers were not allowed to enter South Korea within seven years, saying that their identities had been recorded by the South Korean Migration office.
Concerning this issue, Soares emphasized that this decision is a lesson for all the workers from Timor-Leste to be able to understand and follow the existing regulations because it will give impact and high risk to other workers.
“This is an important lesson for those who are still working in South Korea to remain in the system. Because if you try to work illegally, you will not be tolerated,” he said.
It was explained that previously five workers were arrested in early July and two others were detained again in mid-July. The seven workers have arrived in Timor-Leste.
According to data from the State Secretariat for Professional Training and Employment (SEFOPE), since the program for sending TL workers to South Korea was implemented in 2009 until now, there have been more than 1,000 workers who left the system and worked illegally.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
