DILI, 05 abril 2022 (TATOLI) – The Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Joaquim Amaral called on 59 young Timorese workers who will be departing for South Korea to perform well when working in South Korea.
The 59 workers, and parents signed the employment agreements with the government of Timor-Leste before departing for South Korea on april 7. Among these workers, 26 would be working in fisheries, meanwhile, 27 others would be working in factories. In addition, six other workers were under the re-entry program.
Present at the signing of the employment agreements included the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Joaquim Amaral, State Secretary for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE), Alarico de Rosário, and the Representative of the Committee E of the National Parliament on Economic and Development, Antonino Bianco.
According to the official data of the SEFOPE, 256 workers had been sent to South Korea in the past three months.
“You are representing Timor-Leste in South Korea; therefore, you must perform and behave well during your time working in South Korea,” Amaral told reporters after the signing of the employment agreement with the workers at Timor-Lodge Hotel, in Comoro, Dili, today.
“You are assigned with a big responsibility to represent our beloved country in South Korea. You know, showing a good performance would help to strengthen our bilateral ties with South Korea.”
On behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste, Minister Amaral thanked the Government of South Korea for its generosity in providing opportunities for the Timorese people to work in South Korea: “You’re not only going to work but also to learn new things to be implemented in the future when you are returning home.”
The Representative of the Committee E of the National Parliament on Economic Development, Antonino Bianco, praised all of the workers for succeeding in passing the tests and relevant criteria to be eligible to work in South Korea.
State Secretary for Vocational Training and Employment, Alarico de Rosário, encouraged the workers not to move away from their current employment contracts and work visas.
“According to this agreement, both parents and SEFOPE would agree to accept all the situations facing workers in South Korea and will find solutions together to solve any extreme problem experienced by workers,” Rosário stressed.
At the same place, the Ambassador of South Korea to Timor-Leste, Kim Jeong Ho informed that Timorese workers in South Korea had demonstrated good performances: “Some workers used to move away from their employment contract and you better don’t commit the same thing.”
“You will find both heaven and hell in South Korea, thus, I want you to save your money and send it to your family back home,” He stressed.
Arlindo Alves dos Santos, one of the Timorese workers expressed his contentment with having the opportunity to work in South Korea: “It’s a brilliant opportunity for me to make money to improve my family’s economy.”
“I won’t move away from my current employment contract and work visas. I have signed a three-year and six-month employment contract,” Santos said.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
