Member of National Parliament Eladio Faculto has objected to the appointment of foreign workers to public administration positions at the expense of Timorese workers.
The Member of Commission F (health, education, culture, veterans’ and gender equality affairs) said while ministers had the right to make staffing decisions, they must provide opportunities for Timorese.
Two foreign workers have been appointed to senior administrative positions within the National Hospital of Guido Valadares (HNGV).
Deputy Faculto said opportunities for suitably qualified Timorese workers to take on such positions must be provided by every ministry.
Other state-run entities to have foreign workers in senior appointments include the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment.
The HNGV workers in question are from Nepal and Australia and were appointed June 12 to the positions of chief of pediatrics and chief of mortality.
Health Minister Sergio Lobo said there was no division between foreign or Timorese doctors at HNGV and that all doctors were entitled to be appointed to positions, regardless of their nationality.
“All of them are doctors who can take charge and be responsible,” he said.
Public Function Commission president Liborio Pereira said in certain cases in the public administrative hierarchy, foreign workers were required to fill positions for which there were no suitably qualified Timorese candidates.
“In those exceptional cases where there are no suitable Timorese candidates, the government will contract someone who we have confidence in while our own people are gaining the capacity to do such jobs,” Commissioner Pereira said.
He said a similar situation had arisen in the Ministry of Finance, where foreign workers were in top positions
He called on Timorese people to make the effort to gain experience necessary to hold these positions so Timorese could be responsible for the administration of services in future.
