Dili, 05 february 2026 (Média Democracia) – The Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE) worked together with the New Zealand Government to sign an agreement for ten (10) workers to go work in the horticulture area in New Zealand.
Acording to the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE) Rogerio Aroujo Mendonça, today they are implementing the Labor Mobility Program called RSE, and the program will run fromb2025 to 2026 sending 10 youths to work in New Zealand, this is the first pilot through the RSE program and the workers will work for 7 to 9 months.
“The work is for a short time, 7 to 9 months, and after that it will continue if the employers see our workers working with good quality, then they can extend it to two or four years. I’m thingking about the salary, it’s quite good based on the accommodation we’ve arranged, because Mr. Mateus Gips who worked with SEFOPE last year, did a visit and direct observation of the accommodation, and the salary that will be given to our workers is also based on New Zealand standars, but now I can’t pronounce the total salary yet.” Said Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment SEFOPE Rogerio Aroujo Mendonça, in Maleuana
The Secretary continued, the recruitment that’s happening now is from only two employers, expecting in March and May more Employers will come to recruit our workers who are already in the first pilot system.
“I think the Government’s policy can bring training centers to each municipality or the posts, so our youths can access and get job opportunities when there’s recruitment like this. We now see that many workers are re-entry, it means employers trust our workers to go back to work in their companies, and the number of requests for new workers is also increasing.” Continued Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment SEFOPE.
The Secretary futher emphasized, in 2024 when they came to present, they said they need 27 thousand people to work in Asia Pacific, so Timor-Leste should prepare well to wait for that opportunity, hoping in 2026 Timor can fill the big number.
Reporting : Marito
Photo : Marito