Since its membership to the ILO 20 years ago in 2003, Timor-Leste has ratified six out of ten ILO fundamental conventions on the elimination of forced labour, freedom of association, collective bargaining, elimination of the worst forms of child labour, equal renumeration and the elimination of discrimination. These fundamental conventions deal with matters considered to be fundamental principles and rights at work.

By ratifying these Conventions, Timor-Leste has an obligation to report on their application at regular intervals. To assist the country in the reporting procedures and mechanisms, the ILO organized a two-day refresher workshop from 29-31 August for 27 officials of the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE). The workshop was aimed at providing a better understanding and knowledge regarding the ILO and its international labour standards (ILS) system from adoption to national application, the regular supervisory system and how the reporting system works.

“It is very important for us to have a good understanding about requirements from the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) and their observation on the implementation of the Conventions at the country level as well as how to collect data from other relevant ministries or institutional partner,” explained Angelo Veloso, National Director of Labour Market Information.

The workshop was facilitated by Jajoon Coue, the ILO’s International Labour Standards and Labour Law Specialist. He highlighted the obligation of the member States to report the ratified Conventions and he emphasized the latest ILO’s CEACR report which urged the government of Timor-Leste to submit all outstanding reports on the implementation of the Conventions.

“Under the article 22 of the ILO Constitution, member States have the obligation to report regularly on measures they have taken to give effect to the Conventions they have ratified. All reports are the subject of examination by the CEACR during its session held in late November and early December each year. Reports are requested every three years for fundamental and governance Conventions and every six years for all other Conventions,” he added.

To date, Timor-Leste is in the process of ratifying five other ILO Conventions as follows: ILO Conventions Nos. 190 on Violence and Harassment, 144 on Tripartite Consultation, 138 on Minimum Age and 105 on Abolition of Forced Labour. To support the process of the ratification, Paul Alves, General Director of SEFOPE, said that the government has carried out a campaign for these five conventions both national and municipal levels to raise the awareness and strengthen the ratification process.

The ILO’s support was given through its Spotlight Initiative in Timor-Leste—a joint initiative of European Union and the United Nation to eliminate violence against women and girls. This global initiative is implemented by the ILO together with four other UN agencies in Timor-Leste.