DILI, 14 september 2023 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE), together with the Japanese Embassy in Dili, today held a farewell ceremony for the seven Timorese workers who will be leaving on saturday (16/09) to work in Kochi, Japan.
Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE), Rogério Araújo Mendonça, said that this is the first time Timor Leste, in cooperation with Japan sent Timorese labor to Japan.
Mendocna said that the seven young Timorese will work at the Kochi Agro Farm company in Kochi, Japan, under a three-year contract.
Thirteen young Timorese have been selected for the program. The first batch of workers is made up of Filomena da Silva Carvalho, Rosalina da Costa, Ines Mendonca Martins, João Pedro, Aleixo dos Santos Pereira, and José dos Santos Alves. Another six workers from the second batch will leave in the near future.
Japan’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Tetsuya Kimura, expressed his delight at taking part in the farewell ceremony: “This is a very important historical step that will be developed step by step.”
Ambassador Kimura said that there are three important points that should be the main focus for the development of the program: “Firstly, the Kochi Agro Farm company is willing to receive more young Timorese workers. Secondly, the company wants to broaden the area of training and, finally, other companies have also expressed their interest in taking Timorese workers.”
Inacia Mendonca Martins, one of the seven workers, said: “It’s a very proud moment for me to have been chosen to go to work in Japan. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both the governments of Timor-Leste and Japan for giving me this special opportunity.”
“Coming from a needy family, I would like to use this opportunity wisely to support my family. I would like to urge my fellow young Timorese to keep chasing their dream to get it one day,” she said.
Esterlino Martins, Inácia’s father, advised his daughter not to breach her labor contract so that the State and her family would be proud of her.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
