Dili, April 16, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Secretariat of State for Professional Training and Employment (SEFOPE), has continued its cooperation with New Zealand under the Labor Mobility Program, which has shown positive progress and is now heading toward the signing of an agreement.
The Director General for Professional Training and Employment, Carlito do Rosário Cabral, stated that cooperation between Timor-Leste and New Zealand is progressing well, and preparations are underway for the signing of an agreement.
“We are currently preparing for the signing of the agreement between the two countries, Timor-Leste and New Zealand, through SEFOPE. According to the plan, within this month, the Secretary of State together with a team will visit New Zealand prior to the signing of the bilateral agreement,” said Director General Carlito Cabral to journalists after opening the Minimum Wage Draft Review Seminar at Novo Turismo Hotel on Tuesday (April 15, 2025).
He confirmed that the agreement shows significant progress, and he believes that in the near future, Timor-Leste and New Zealand will sign the agreement, which will open the door for Timorese youth who are interested in working in New Zealand.
Regarding the selection criteria for workers, the Director noted that the exact details are not yet known, but the recruitment process is expected to follow a system similar to Australia’s labor mobility program.
“Once the agreement is signed, decisions will be made according to the market’s needs and demands. Technically, discussions have already taken place between the two countries. A technical team from New Zealand visited Timor-Leste, and we presented all of our preparation related to the labor mobility program,” he explained.
Although the process for New Zealand differs slightly from the one Timor-Leste has with Australia, technically, New Zealand has accepted the system that Timor-Leste is currently applying. They are only awaiting the signing of the agreement so preparations can begin to send workers in response to the New Zealand job market’s needs.
The agreement will mainly focus on larger sectors, particularly agriculture, although the exact number of workers to be sent will depend on the demand from companies.
“There is no fixed limit on the number of people, as it depends on the companies’ needs. There are many companies there, not just one, and once the agreement is signed, each company will submit its workforce requirements to us. We already have many candidates in the system who are preparing for Australia, and they can also be offered to New Zealand through the same process,” he added.
Previously, the Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment, together with the New Zealand Ambassador and her delegation, had held a follow-up meeting to review the results of a meeting held on February 18, 2025, regarding the cooperation both nations plan to implement.
Secretary of State Rogério Araújo Mendonça explained that the discussions, which took place from February 18 to February 21, produced positive results and paved the way toward the signing of an MOU.
“From the discussions that began on February 18 until today, February 21, the outcomes have been very positive. First, the Ambassador explained that New Zealand has updated its plans, and for certain reasons, they are eager to receive Timorese youth to work there,” said Secretary of State Rogério Mendonça to journalists after the meeting with the New Zealand Ambassador and her delegation at the SEFOPE Building in Caicoli on February 21, 2025.
He stressed that the goal is not only for young Timorese to go abroad for work, but also to gain knowledge and experience, so that when they return home, they can use their resources to strengthen their families and, at the same time, contribute to the national economy.
The Secretary of State also highlighted that the New Zealand side has already expressed their “welcome for Timor-Leste,” meaning they are ready to receive Timorese youth to work there within this year.
He explained that through the discussions held with the Ambassador’s team, SEFOPE plans to visit New Zealand on April 28 to finalize the agreement signing.
“Once the MOU is signed this year, we will be able to prepare our young people for work placements in New Zealand. However, the Ambassador also mentioned that the first phase would involve a limited number of workers, not as many as the expectation of 1,000 to 3,000 people,” he explained.
He noted that, as was the case with Australia, the program will likely begin with a small number, around 50 workers, as part of a phased approach. The host country will cooperate with employers who are ready to receive workers, and once this initial phase is complete, the number will gradually increase, as has been the case in other Asia-Pacific countries participating in the RSE (Recognized Seasonal Employer) program.
Report : Estefania
Photo : Estefania