Dili, February 25, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Secretary of State for Vocational Professionals and Employment (SEFOPE) held a meeting with the Hungarian Ambassador to Timor-Leste to discuss cooperation between the two countries on labor mobility issues.
SEFOPE, Rogério de Araújo Mendonça said that today’s meeting was between SEFOPE and the Hungarian Ambassador to discuss future labor mobility.
“This meeting mainly discussed the future labor mobility program that will be held in Hungary, at the same time this opportunity is also for the Hungarian state to ask the youth of Timor-Leste especially about capacity training in the areas that we need in the future.” SEFOPE’s Rogério de Araújo said in Caicoli on Monday
He informed that the program carried out by Hungary is not far from the Australian program called the Seasonal Worker Program which will also form a system based on and a duration of between 6 to 9 months.
“This program that we call RSE is a program that has the same duration as the 6-9 month program, after this program is continued, you can enter with a 2-4 year visa. I just want to say that the this pilots Hungarian also prepared us well so we can go for 6-9 months, then, we prepare good conditions. So, when their government sees that the program that Timor-Leste supports for their country is good, they can increase the quantity.” He said.
Meanwhile, the areas that will advance first are Agriculture and Horticulture which will advance first in Labor Mobility for Hungary.
Therefore, through this meeting, space has been opened for Timor-Leste through SEFOPE to be able to go directly with the Timor-Leste Ambassador to Indonesia.
“Through the Secretary of State for Vocational and Manpower Affairs, direct communication was conducted with the Timor-Leste Ambassador in Jakarta, while also communicating with the Ambassador that you see now, this is a diplomat from MNEK, both will coordinate better on how we can advance the MoU signing stage.” He emphasized.
As the Hungarian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Lilla Karxay continued that she was pleased to meet SEFOPE, because Timor-Leste and Hungary have not had diplomatic relations for long, therefore through this visit to explore the potential for collaboration between the two countries.
“This visit, especially visit in SEFOPE, is to explore the potential for cooperation in the field of professional training and employee in labor mobility and to see the potential of Timorese citizens who have sufficient and good abilities to work in Hungary, especially in the fields of hospitality, agriculture and potential in the automotive sector.” Said the Hungarian Ambassador to Timor Leste, Lilla Karxay
She said this initiative was very beautiful and important in terms of how to establish cooperation between the two countries so that it becomes a priority for other initiatives.
“This initiative is very good, but more importantly we build cooperation between the two countries, the first priority of both governments is the basis for other initiatives, especially the Ambassador learns that the relationship between SEFOPE and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very good, this will provide assistance when we are lucky enough to send Timorese workers.” She said.
She added that she also knew that there were many Timorese who were Portuguese citizens who had been in Portugal and working in other countries in Europe, this could be a good advantage for all Timorese.
Reported by : Estefania
Picture by : Estefania