DILI, 07 august 2023 (TATOLI) – Brunei Darussalam and Timor-Leste are currently negotiating the Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by the governments of the two countries before recruiting skilled Timorese workers to work in Brunei, one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia.
“There is a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by the two governments before sending Timorese workers to Brunei,” Bruneian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Wan Hadfi Latif told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Gusmao at Government Palace, in Dili, on monday.
He said that once the MoU is signed, the Worker Movement Program can be materialized: “We are still in the negotiation stage. Once the MoU is approved, then we can start having Timorese workers coming to Brunei.”
“This is a requirement of the Timorese government. The policy of the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE) is to sign bilateral labor agreements between the governments before sending Timorese workers abroad,” he explained.
Latif said there are many workers from ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and also from India and Bangladesh.
He added that Brunei has a similar culture to Timor-Leste as many Timorese can speak Indonesian and English, saying therefore Brunei is interested in recruiting Timorese laborers.
Latif stressed that the demand for jobs in hospitality and various other areas is high in Brunei.
Last year, Timor-Leste’s former foreign minister, Adaljiza Magno, also discussed with her Bruneian counterpart, Erywan Yusof, the possibility of sending Timorese workers to Brunei Darussalam.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Brunei Darussalam visited Timor-Leste last year and discussed with former Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak Brunei’s commitment to recruit Timorese people to work in Brunei.
In addition, some private Bruneian companies have also expressed interest in hiring Timorese laborers to work in the hospitality sector.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
