Dili, September 5, 2026 (Media Democracia) – The Confederation of Trade Unions of Timor-Leste (KSTL), together with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and partners, launched a digital complaint management system through the KSTL website platform, to make it easier for workers to submit complaints and to strengthen the protection of workers’ rights in Timor-Leste.
KSTL President, Almerio Villa Nova, said the development of this digital system became a reality because of the joint work between KSTL, ILO and other partners over the past several years.
“I appreciate the ILO as the International Labour Organization, which over the years together with KSTL and other partners managed to develop this website platform. Today, the platform has reached its final phase and we can launch the complaint management system on the KSTL website.” Almerio told journalists at the Suai Hall, Timor Plaza, Thursday (03/09).
Almerio said that since KSTL was established, the organization has continued to be the center and home for all unions and associations in Timor-Leste, with a commitment to promote social justice, decent work, and protect workers’ basic rights.
“We have worked hard for many years, fighting against many challenges, starting with the fight for the freedom to form organizations. In the beginning, KSTL worked hard to establish trade unions in all sectors.” he said.
In addition, KSTL also continues to fight for the minimum wage and laws related to work and workers’ daily lives. But in this long journey, the struggle still faces many challenges, including weaknesses in the existing complaint management system.
He explained that based on available data, workers’ complaints have often not been managed well. The case management process was also not well structured, and final results were not properly documented. This situation became an obstacle to efforts to provide better protection to members.
Because of that, based on studies and recommendations from various parties, especially ILO, KSTL decided to re-engineer the complaint management system through the development and implementation of a centralized digital platform.
Almerio emphasized that the launch of this complaint management system is not only about using new technology, but is also an important milestone in the history of KSTL’s struggle.
First, the system aims to modernize and strengthen complaint management, making it effective, efficient and well documented. The application allows each complaint to be registered in an organized way, processed according to clear procedures, and case progress can be monitored with transparency.
Second, the system will provide easier access for workers, including those who are not union members, to file complaints about violations of workers’ rights.
“With this technology we want to ensure that no worker’s voice goes unheard. Everyone, all workers, can access this platform.” he said.
Third, the system will help improve the organization’s capacity to provide better assistance and advocacy for workers in Timor-Leste.
The KSTL President said that the launch of this application is only the beginning, because the success of the system depends a lot on the support and active participation of union leaders.
He said the application is not only for KSTL, but also for federations and associations affiliated with KSTL to register and manage complaints in the system.
KSTL encourages union leaders in Timor-Leste to use the application well, participate in trainings that will be held in the future, and make the system a new tool of struggle in the digital era.
He also thanked the technical support from ILO, including employer partners and the Government, to continue working together to protect the rights and interests of workers in Timor-Leste.
Almerio stressed that digitalization is not meant to replace human contact, communication, or human relations.
“But what has been going on must adapt to this new system, so that we can have a good website platform.” he said.
He added that the new system will help provide faster responses to complaints, and also allow data on complaints that have been registered to be documented.
At the event, CCITL Vice President, Fraquelino da Costa Freitas, said that CCITL as the umbrella for the private sector is an important partner with unions and the Government to boost economic growth in Timor-Leste.
“With the system that KSTL and ILO have established, this is a big advancement in technology, because we can alert private sector actors to access this system to resolve any complaints that occur in the workplace between employers and workers.” Fraquelino said.
Meanwhile, Workers’ Representative, Azia Ferreira, said the launch of this online digital system will make it easier for workers when they face problems at work, because they can submit complaints directly through the system.
“I am very grateful to KSTL for being able to launch this digital system. This platform can facilitate workers across Timor-Leste, especially workers in rural areas, to access information and submit complaints.” she concluded.
Reporting: Estefánia Cardoso
Photo: Estefánia Cardoso