The Inspector General for Labour, of the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training Policy and Employment (SEPFOPE), Aniceto Leto Soro said in 2015 it found that 279 enterprises were in breach of the labour code.
He added that the violations included 130 cases of breach of an employment contract; 116 cases of breach to work visa exclusions; health and security cases; 63 cases of breaches to occupation health and safety; and cases involving the breach of the minimum salary provisions.
“Out of 1091 enterprises in Timor-Leste; 279 have breached the provisions of the labour code law,” said Inspector General Soro at his office, in Kaikoli, Dili.
He added most of the victims are national workers whom because of limited employment opportunities do not report their cases.
The Inspector General said also that SEPFOPE was able to collect $109.290 in fines from the companies and that the funds has been deposited into state’s coffers and that there are still another 1860 cases pending resolution.
He noted that cases of breach of the labour code have decreased over the years as workers and employers are more aware of their rights and responsibilities and also due labour inspections have been more efficient.
Meanwhile the Vice President of Commission D (for economic and development affairs), Member of Parliament MP Domingos Carvalho de Araujo said despite increase awareness of enterprises and in the communities that awareness raising at the grassroots needs to continue because many people are still unfamiliar with the labour code for Timor-Leste.
“We need to keep raising awareness in the communities especially at the grassroots because workers are still complaint about being fired without justification,” said MP de Araujo.
He also urged SEPFOPE to look into the issue of unfair dismissal without a severance pay.
“I also urge companies to ensure they give severance pay at the end of someone’s contract to ensure the quality of life of workers who are in between jobs,” added the MP.
