The Secretariat of State for Vocational Training Policy and Employment (SEPFOPE) and the Secretariat of State for Fisheries (SEP) will establish a fishery training centre in Maubara to prepare youths to work in the sector as guest workers in South Korea.
The Secretary of State for Fisheries, Rafael Pereira Gonçalves, said the objective of establishing the training centre is to fulfil the Timorese government’s policy to send guest workers to South Korea.
He says 75 per cent of Timorese labourers in South Korea are working in the fishery sector but many of them know nothing about fishery.
“We think it is necessary to establish this training centre so those who go to South Korea can obtain knowledge about fishery and so they don’t get startled about everything when going out to sea,” said SE Gonçalves, from his office in Comoro, Dili.
The initiative will be supported by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), with funds amounting toUS$6 Million from 2014 to 2017 and will be used specifically for the fishery area.
Meanwhile the Secretary of State for SEPFOPE, Ilidio da Costa Ximenes, said his secretariat is ready to collaborate with SEP to provide training for youths specifically in fishery.
“SEP will ensure the training centre is built and we will support with the training,” said SE Ximenes.
He said, capacity building in the area will assist those going to South Korea to work but will also prepare the youths so when they finish their contracts in Korea. He said once they return to Timor-Lestethey can continue working in the sector and create livelihoods for themselves and in doing so contribute towards national development.
