Dili, April 3, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Candidate workers for Korea from the 2022 period have expressed their frustration and staged a protest against the HRD system as well as the Secretariat of State for Professional Training and Employment. They are protesting because, despite having passed the exam, they have not yet received the opportunity to sign a contract with employers or companies to work in Korea.
Representative of the 2022 student group Rosalino da Cruz, stated that they gathered at the SEFOPE building in Becora to express their concerns and seek accurate information regarding their pending contracts.
“To obtain accurate information about how our contracts from Korea are processed through SEFOPE Timor-Leste, we are requesting clarification so that we can have a clearer understanding of our status and whether our documents have been approved or not.” Said Rosalino Da Cruz to journalists at the DNEE SEFOPE building in Becora this Wednesday (02/04/2025).
He added that this action was taken because they want to clearly understand the progress of their contract process, as many years have passed and they have yet to receive a contract from a company or employer in Korea.
The spokesperson stated that they had a meeting with the directors today and received some explanations regarding the contract process for employment in Korea.
“We already understand that this system can provide guarantees for the future. For now, our names remain in the system and have been approved, but we have yet to receive contracts from companies. Among us from the 2022 batch, there are 82 candidates, the majority of whom are in the fisheries sector. A solution is in place, but we all have to wait and observe the system.” He stated
He explained that the National Directorate of Foreign Employment has already provided an explanation, stating that the documents are still in the approval process, but the contracts have not yet been received from employers or companies in Korea.
“This is a solution for us. If our contracts do not come through, the final option is that we must continue following the system. We will register, take the tests again, and wait for the process.” He said.
On this occasion, the National Director of Foreign Employment, João Coreia Perreira, stated that this afternoon, the DNEE received a letter from the 2022 candidates regarding their concerns. This letter needs confirmation in order to obtain an explanation from SEFOPE regarding the system from Korea.
“So this afternoon, we convened a meeting between the management and Korea’s Human Resources representative, Director Kim, who provided a clear explanation regarding the system, the process, and the rules for working in Korea how to access opportunities, why some have not yet received them, and how to secure them.” Said the DNEE Director to journalists.
He confirmed that since 2022, around 1,693 candidates have been registered and have passed, with nearly 1,200 of them already gaining access to jobs in Korea.
“So, around 409 candidates have not yet received an opportunity—not just 81, but more than 400. To clarify, the rules and system used by Korea apply to 16 or 17 countries involved in this program, not just Timor-Leste. According to these rules, once our candidates pass and are registered in the system, their validity period is also set within the system.” He stated.
The director explained that these rules are not set by Timor-Leste, but SEFOPE works together with Korea’s Human Resources to ensure the entire process runs smoothly until candidates can secure employment in Korea.
“The rules apply to 26 countries, and if within two years they have not received an opportunity or a resolution from the employers, they will be removed from the system. Therefore, they must re-register and retake the tests to submit again to the system in hopes of securing an opportunity.” He said
He emphasized that this program and system were not established in 2022, but rather the system has existed since the beginning of the program in 2009 and will continue through 2025. The system is not operated by SEFOPE, but rather by Korea, and it is up to the employers to choose the candidates who will go to Korea or not.
The DNEE Director hopes that the 2022 candidates will have the opportunity to secure jobs, as their approval in the system will expire in July 2025. DNEE expects that employers will select them, enabling them to receive contracts and job opportunities in Korea.
He stated that as a result of the DNEE’s efforts, about 100 candidates have already found job opportunities in Korea. The issue, however, lies not with DNEE but with the Korean side in finalizing these resolutions.
“However, in Korea, we always make efforts to reach out to employers to ensure solutions for our workers, not just from Timor but from all 17 countries. If they choose Timor, then they are fortunate. If they choose another country, we must be patient and compete. This is the competition that we must participate in, and it is mandatory for us to intervene in this process.” He explained.
Regarding the recruitment process, the employers in Korea will select candidates based on the profiles of those who have taken the test or have already submitted their information in the system.
Report : Estefania
Photo : Estefania