DILI, 16 november 2022 (TATOLI)- Australian Pacific Labor Mobility (PALM) benefited over 3,000 Timorese workers in 2022.
The National Director for Foreign Workers, Filomeno Soares explained that Australia through the PALM scheme which is composed of PLS (Pacific Labor Scheme) and SWP (Seasonal Labor Program) demanded TL prepare opportunities for 2,500 workers every year.
“This year we have exceeded the requirement given by 2,821, this is a very big trust from Australia to the Timorese workers,” said Filomeno Soares at the SEFOPE office, Becora, this Wednesday.
According to recent data from SEFOPE, the number of TL’s workers that start working in Australia from January until november 16, 2022 is 2821 of this number 2015 men and 805 women.
While the municipalities with the highest participation rate composed of Dili (539), Ermera (307), Baucau (296), and Bobonaro (204) while the least from Oecusse (82).
“This is the first time we recorded the highest number of workers to be sent to Australia because every year the number of workers does not exceed 2,000,” he said.
The SWP program itself has been implemented since 2012 and until today 7,962 Timorese workers have been working in Australia.
“It depends on the working contract duration. Some workers have a contract duration of 3 months and some for 9 months until the contract is ended they return to TL,”
So far the workers are deployed in industries of hospitality, horticulture, meat factories, and fisheries.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
