DILI, 02 march 2023 (TATOLI) – Ministry of Interior, through the Timor-Leste Immigration Service, has received 14 illegal Timorese workers deported by Malaysian authorities.
These fourteen Timorese workers arrived today at Dili International Airport on Batik Air.
“Of these 14 citizens, two are women suspected of working illegally in Malaysia,” Vise Interior Minister Antonio Armindo said in a statement.
Armindo said that the Immigration Service would conduct further investigation to identify those who were involved in sending these citizens to Malaysia.
Last year, seven Timorese were also sent by irresponsible companies to work in Dubai without any official document signed by Timor-Leste and Dubai authorities. They were successfully repatriated to Timor-Leste after being treated inhumanely for more than two months in Dubai.
Following the return of these seven East Timorese, the authorities in Timor-Leste urged the Security Authority to crack down on those involved in human trafficking.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
