Dili, February 19, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Government through the Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment (SEFOPE) held a meeting with the New Zealand Delegation to discuss Labour Mobility for New Zealand.
New Zealand Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Hellen Tunnah said that as a representative of the New Zealand government in Timor-Leste, she was very pleased with the special presence of this country to add to the labor mobility program in Timor-Leste.
“The purpose of this meeting is to initiate discussions with SEFOPE on the labour mobility system and also some of New Zealand’s implementation schemes in the two sectors of Horticulture and Agriculture.” Said the New Zealand Ambassador to Timor-Leste
She said discussions this week would focus on the systems in each country and the information shared would help Timor-Leste enter New Zealand’s scheme.
“I know you will ask and I can say that we do not have a definite timetable on when this program will start and there is no definite number of workers who will be working, but we hope that we will make good progress in our efforts, so that we can actualize the information to everyone,” she said.
We all want to make plans to make this scheme work properly, but it is also important to take the time to ensure that the plan is well designed and will be more successful, when everything is in place, this program will be more helpful to the development of Timor-Leste.
On this occasion, the Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment (SEFOPE), Rogério Araújo Mendonça said that in relation to public inquiries regarding information that in 2024, New Zealand together with SEFOPE will try to establish a labour mobility program. Therefore, today the New Zealand Ambassador held a meeting with SEFOPE to discuss this issue.
“Today’s meeting is very important, especially since we will enter a good phase, so we will see whether this phase can be followed and the government can continue to sign the MoU or not, so it will be discussed all day, then the results can be given, I think Friday before the delegation team returns from Timor-Leste to New Zealand, I think we can know how the process is, whether it will continue or need more time for further discussion.” He said.
He emphasized that SEFOPE still has no agreement, but is only in the discussion stage with the Government of New Zealand and the New Zealand Ambassador, so they can accompany this process.
“We will talk together, we will see from New Zealand’s side, we will also see the MoU that has been made by the Timor-Leste government through SEFOPE with Australia, South Korea and Japan. This will be reviewed, then they will also convey the programs that they have in their country, I think this is also still a topic of discussion for us to prepare the MoU.” He said
He believes that with the presence of the New Zealand Ambassador to Timor-Leste and also the Timor-Leste Ambassador to New Zealand, cooperation can be established.
“This team is not from a particular company, this team belongs to the government, the standards that the Australian Government has, the standards that New Zealand has as well, therefore I guarantee that we will sign this memorandum of understanding in 2025, this is a great hope for Timor Leste.” SEFOPE, Rogério Araújo said
He asked to young people to try to learn languages through courses at training centers in the municipality or nationally, so that they can get involved, especially training in areas where the market needs it. He also guaranteed that after this meeting we will move on to the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Reported by : Estefania
Picture by : Estefania