Timor-Leste reviews the progresses of its Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP)
The ILO and its tripartite constituents review the progresses of the implementation of decent work in the country and identify new strategies to improve the achieved progresses for next year.
6 November 2024
DILI, Timor-Leste (ILO News) - The ILO’s Country Office for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, in collaboration with the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE), held a Tripartite Meeting in Dili on 29 October to review the progresses and future plans of the Timor-Leste Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2022-2025.
Hosted by SEFOPE, the meeting gathered key representatives of the ILO’s constituents, including the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Timor-Leste (CCI-TL), Timor-Leste Trade Union Confederation (KSTL), National Institute of Social Protection (INSS), National Institute for the Development of Human Resources (INDMO), General Labour Inspectorate (IGT) and National Institute of Employment and Professional Training (INETL).
The successful implementation of the DWCP in Timor-Leste demonstrates the effective collaboration between the government, social partners, and the ILO in promoting decent work. for all.
Diego Rei, ILO’s Employment Specialist for Indonesia and Timor-Leste
The Timor-Leste Decent Work Country (DWCP) Programme 2022-2025, signed by the ILO, SEFOPE, CCI-TL and KSTL on 18 August 2022, aims to support the Government of Timor-Leste in achieving its National Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030. The agreed priorities are the following: 1) Employment promotion and enterprise development; 2) Enhanced protection of workers and social protection and 3) Improved labour market governance, including strengthened capacity of workers’ and employers’ organizations to effectively participate in and influence policy and decision-making processes.
During the meeting, the ILO presented key activities implemented during 2023-2024, highlighting progresses and upcoming plans. Achievements presented included a youth employment assessment, support to the thematic labour report of 2022 Population Census and other various supports and initiatives in enhancing social protection, hospitality, tourism, and agroforestry sectors in the country, with a focus on training and sector development.
“The successful implementation of the DWCP in Timor-Leste demonstrates the effective collaboration between the government, social partners, and the ILO in promoting decent work. for all. These achievements bring us closer to building an inclusive and resilient labour market that ensures fair opportunities for all,” stated Diego Rei, ILO’s Employment Specialist for Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
The meeting yielded a fruitful productive discussion among the tripartite constituents. From the perspective of the employers, CCI-TL highlighted the need to enhance knowledge and skills in the private sector and emphasized the importance of promoting ILO Conventions on minimum age and workplace violence. They also raised concerns about the low awareness on occupational safety and health (OSH) and, thus, advocated for the investment in working condition improvement through a one-stop-shop approach.
Social dialogue is the cornerstone of a fair and inclusive labour market. Strengthening this dialogue with the support of the ILO is essential to fostering a more collaborative and effective approach to addressing the challenges facing our workforce.
Angelo dos Santos Veloso, Vice President of National Labour Council
In terms of skills development, INDMO underscored the relevance of Green Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the need for skilled trainers in the green economy. INDMO also sought further capacity-building support related to higher education. Meanwhile, INETL confirmed that the next labour force survey would be conducted in 2025, fully funded by the Government of Timor-Leste.
In addition, the Labour Inspectorate expressed the urgent need for the ILO support for capacity building on labour inspection, particularly on labour migration, the protection of child labour protection and the strengthened collaboration with the INSS inspectorate. "There is a clear need for specialized training in labour migration for our labour inspectors. We seek further support from the ILO to strengthen the capacity of the inspectors," said Frederico Pereira de Matos, General Labour Inspector.
Highlighting the importance of social dialogue, Angelo dos Santos Veloso, Vice President of National Labour Council said that “social dialogue is the cornerstone of a fair and inclusive labour market. Strengthening this dialogue with the support of the ILO is essential to fostering a more collaborative and effective approach to addressing the challenges facing our workforce.”
The next Tripartite Meeting is scheduled for May 2025. With continuous support of the ILO, the meeting will further review the progresses made and discuss new strategies to achieve goals of the DWCP and demonstrate further progresses and achievements of the three key priorities.