Employers and workers of Timor-Leste agree to promote constructive industrial relations

The bipartite meeting aimed to strengthen the social dialogue between workers and employers in Timor-Leste The ILO facilitated a bi-partite dialogue between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Timor-Leste (CCI-TL) and Timor-Leste Trade Union Confederation (KSTL) on 9 July, in Dili, Timor-Leste. The country’s development challenges require employers and workers to work together so that so that the economy grows and becomes capable of providing decent work and life for all.

Joao Alves, Vice President of CCI-TL, stressed on the importance of developing joint understanding on the challenges facing the current economy of Timor-Leste. He also emphasized the importance of joint collaboration between workers and employers to strengthen the economy. “Development of social partnership between labour and management will benefit not just the two parties involved but also the economy,” he stated.

Development of social partnership between labour and management will benefit not just the two parties involved but also the economy."

Joao Alves, Vice President of CCI-TL

Responding to the need of joint forces between workers and employers, both Almerio Vila-Nova, Secretary General of General Worker Union and Ramalho Da Costa, President of KSTL, welcomed this initiative. They pointed out that the facilitation meeting was the first meeting where employers and workers sat together bi-laterally.

“We hope that the ILO continues to support us in building and strengthening the bi-partite cooperation and collaboration,” said Ramalho. Meanwhile Almerio proposed the establishment of a joint forum as venue for both CCI-TL and KSTL to further discuss not only industrial relations issues but also other policy issues to be proposed to the government.

The meeting was facilitated by Arun Kumar, the ILO’s Collective Bargaining and Social Dialogue Specialist. He pointed out that the underlying root causes for conflicts in labour relations was the inadequacies of social dialogue and collective bargaining mechanisms which then lead to industrial disputes being piled up in the judiciary for resolution.

We hope that the ILO continues to support us in building and strengthening the bi-partite cooperation and collaboration."

Ramalho Da Costa, President of KSTL

“Effective bipartite social dialogue reduces not just conflict but also promote safe workplaces and productive and innovative enterprises. A consultations culture can help develop greater trust and constructive industrial relations that can promote compliance and decent work for all,” he exclaimed.

Effective bipartite social dialogue reduces not just conflict but also promote safe workplaces and productive and innovative enterprises. A consultations culture can help develop greater trust and constructive industrial relations that can promote compliance and decent work for all."

Arun Kumar, the ILO’s Collective Bargaining and Social Dialogue Specialist

During the meeting, both employers and workers raised and shared issues and challenges they face, including, among others, low productivity, lack of skilled work force, absenteeism, lack of investment and jobs in the economy, foreign workers and the need to up skill Timorese workers. The meeting concluded with the broad consensus highlighting the need for employers and workers to work together not only at workplace but also at policy level. The meeting also recommended the development of good practices at the workplaces as a means to strengthen the bi-lateral cooperation in Timor-Leste.