Dili, April 4, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment (SEFOPE), in collaboration with the Northern Japan Human Resource Development Association (JHRDA), has signed a Management of Change (MoC) agreement with three companies to cooperate in recruiting Timorese workers for employment in Japan.
The Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment, Rogério Araújo, stated that this agreement is highly significant for both the Government of Timor-Leste and the Government of Japan. Through SEFOPE and the Japanese Human Resource Development Association, Japan is willing to welcome Timorese youth to work under the QIT program in the country.
“Japan is once again using the term QIT, which has also become a labor mobility program. The employers who came here today are also willing to accept our young people who will participate in the QIT program in Japan in the coming months. This is what we are celebrating today with great emotion.” Said Secretary of State Rogério Araújo to journalists after signing the MoC at the Caicoli Dili on Wednesday (02/04/2025)
We cannot yet disclose the total number at this moment because the employers still need to conduct tests for the candidates who are currently being prepared at the SENAI Center in Becora or other centers that are providing Japanese language courses.
He stated that this initiative started in 2023, continuing through 2024 and 2025. In 2023, SEFOPE signed a similar agreement to send five young people who were the first to be placed in a province called Kochi. Then in 2024.
“This effort is also strongly supported by Ambassador Mr. Elidio, who is based in Japan. So, we are once again signing an agreement with employers from other provinces, who received support from well-known individuals people who previously also provided assistance to the nation of Timor-Leste through Mr. Nakatani.” He explained
So, through that pathway, we have also gained more employers, and now in 2025, the number has increased again, reaching 35 people who are participating in the QIT program in Japan.
The employers mentioned that they have followed the media and seen that Timor-Leste has already sent workers to countries like Australia and Korea, and those workers have shown good quality. Moreover, they appreciate the fact that in Timor-Leste, it is the Government itself that acts as the agency to send workers abroad.
On this occasion, the Representative of the President of the Northern Japan Human Resource Development Association, Kazuo Suzuki, expressed his happiness at being able to meet with His Excellency the Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment to establish and sign the Management of Change (MoC) agreement. For this reason, he requested the need to better understand the nation of Japan.
“That’s why, for this first visit, you need to get to know Japan if we want to talk about Japan as a whole, it is truly a vast country. So just to begin receiving workers from Timor-Leste into our agency, we would like to start with ten (10) workers.” Said Kazuo Suzuki
He said, that through the signed agreement, it was stated that starting with 10 workers does not mean that Japan only needs a small number. The reason is that the companies that require these workers are not yet very familiar with Timor-Leste.
“So, we will begin by introducing Timorese workers to these companies in order to gradually increase the number of workers. But for now, we want to start with ten (10), and if the recruitment goes well, we can recruit more.” He said
He explained that the situation is related to the recent events in Myanmar, where many workers from Myanmar were sent to Japan for employment, but now there is a need to bring workers from other countries like Timor-Leste to fill the gap.
“The recent situation shows that Japan is unable to receive workers from Myanmar, so we are now looking for other workers. Additionally, Myanmar has been providing Japanese language education to prepare people for work in Japan for five to ten years. As a result, we are now seeing many more opportunities, and this is also the case with Timor-Leste.” He explained
He stated that if Timor-Leste prepares its people with high quality, Japan is ready to accept them for employment there.
This means that we are ready, preparing youth with good quality, and aiming to send 500 workers to Japan. This will allow the agency to recruit, according to this MoC, and companies can receive up to 500 workers to work in their companies.
Regarding the duration of employment in Japan, it is initially three (3) years, up to a maximum of five (5) years. However, if many Timorese workers are interested, they can extend their contract for up to ten (10) years.
After contacting the agency, their interest in visiting Timor-Leste is very high, as they still do not know much about the country.
“The majority of people in Japan still do not know about Timor-Leste, which is why we are bringing workers from Timor. Promotion is important, and information about Timor-Leste is very limited. I can tell you that it is difficult to get information about Timor, which is why it is challenging in Japan to know more about Timor-Leste.” He concluded
In terms of the areas for employment, such as horticulture and agriculture, they also want to invest in the forestry sector. Additionally, they are interested in bringing Timorese youth to work in the areas of aid care and health, particularly for the elderly and those with disabilities. The criteria include, first, the need to know the language; second, they must have good behavior; and third, good health is required.
Report by : Estefania
Photo by : Estefania