DILI, 21 August 2025 (TATOLI) –The Government of Timor-Leste, through the State Secretariat for Professional Training and Employment (SEFOPE), has officially signed an Inter-Agency Operational Understanding (IAOU) with the Government of New Zealand to initiate job recruitment under the Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
The signing ceremony took place in the VIP room of the SEFOPE office in Caicoli, Dili, on Thursday, August 21. SEFOPE Secretary Rogério Araújo Mendonça and New Zealand Ambassador to Timor-Leste Helen Tunnah signed the agreement, marking the beginning of the first phase of recruitment, which will commence online on September 8, 2025.
The event was witnessed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito Freitas, Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to New Zealand Idelta Maria Rodriguês, and former Ambassador Felicidade de Sousa Guterres, who played a key role in initiating the collaboration.
Minister Freitas praised the agreement as a significant step forward in Timor-Leste’s labour diplomacy. “We recognize the importance of bilateral partnerships in the world of work. Our government-to-government cooperation began with South Korea, Australia, and Japan, and is now expanding to New Zealand.”
SEFOPE Secretary Mendonça described the collaboration as a historic milestone for labour mobility. “Today, the government marks a new milestone in our Labor Mobility program. Recruitment for young people who wish to work in New Zealand will begin on September 8.”
He noted that the initial phase will be conducted online to streamline data collection and avoid administrative delays. “Manual recruitment would be time-consuming. For this pilot program, we’ll begin online, and by 2026, the system will be fully operational.”
The RSE program offers employment opportunities in horticulture and viticulture (grape cultivation), with English language proficiency as a key requirement. The number of workers to be recruited will depend on official requests from New Zealand companies.
Ambassador Tunnah emphasized New Zealand’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s development through youth employment.
“This program will help New Zealand businesses attract qualified workers and improve community incomes and job skills.”
She added that New Zealand aims to support skill development, recognition, and the ability of Timorese workers to transform those skills into small businesses and sustainable livelihoods.
Timor-Leste was officially added to New Zealand’s list of participating countries under the RSE Scheme on April 28, 2025. This inclusion allows Timorese citizens to legally participate in seasonal work programs in New Zealand’s horticulture and wine-growing sectors.
Applicants must meet health standards, including submitting a chest x-ray certificate, as Timor-Leste is not yet classified as a country with low tuberculosis incidence.
The RSE Scheme, established in 2007, has been instrumental in boosting New Zealand’s agricultural productivity and exports. With Timor-Leste’s inclusion, the program now spans more than 10 countries across the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Under the current policy, effective October 1, 2023, the minimum wage for RSE workers is set at NZD 24.97 per hour, with future adjustments aligned to New Zealand’s national minimum wage.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
