NGO Lalenok Ba Ema Hotu (LABEH) believes announced plans by the Secretary of State for Administrative Decentralization to recruit 10 District Managers is illegal because the relevant law has not yet been promulgated by the President of the Republic.
LABEH’s Director, Julio Gil da Silva Guterres, raised the issue after the government announced its intention to recruit the 10 District Managers.
“What is the basis for their recruitment,” he demanded.
He also said any public servants must be recruited by the Public Service Commission and not directly by the Secretary of State for Administrative Decentralization.
The Asia Foundation’s (TAF) Director, Hugo Fernandes, urged the government to give due consideration to this matter prior to begining the recruitment process.
“I heard in the Dom Aleixo sub-district nominations have already started as to whom should be the Manager of Dili. We need to do this right so we build a democratic State,” said Director Fernandes.
He also has concerned about the legal validity of the De-concentration Decree Law.
Meanwhile MP Antoninho Bianco, from Commission A, said despite the government making public the announcement for the recruitment of the District Managers the President of the Republic has not yet promulgated the Decree Law.
“We note this will be the first step for the government prior to commencing with its de-concentration initiatives,” said MP Bianco.
He added the concept seems to be to turn District Administrators into District Managers.
“It is up to the government to dismiss or promote administrators but they are public servants who went through a recruitment process,” added MP Bianco.
