Opening Remarks at the Signing Ceremony of Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for Timor-Leste 2016-2020

By Francesco d'Ovidio, Director of ILO for Indonesia and Timor-Leste at the Opening of the Signing Ceremony of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for Timor-Leste 2016-2020

Statement | Dili, Timor-Leste | 31 May 2016
  • Secretary of State for Employment Policy and Vocational Training, Mr. Ilídio Ximenes da Costa;
  • President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Timor-Leste, Mr. Oscar Lima;
  • Secretary General of Timor-Leste Trade Union Confederation, Mr. José da Conceição da Costa;
  • Minister of State, Coordinator of Economic Affairs, Mr. Estanislau da Silva;
  • Ambassador of New Zealand, H.E. Ms Vicki Barbara Poole;
  • Ambassador, Head of Delegation EU Delegation Dili, Ms. Sylvie Tabesse;
  • General Secretary of G7+, Mr. Helder da Costa;
  • United Nation Resident Coordinator Timor-Leste, Mr. Mr. Knut Ostby;
  • Senior Government Officials;
Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Firstly, I would like to warmly welcome you to the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding for Timor-Leste Decent Work Country Programme 2016-2020. We are happy to be working together with the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment Policy (SEPFOPE) to co-host this events.

The ILO’s core mandate is to advance opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in condition of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. The Decent Work Country Programme translates that mandate into the ILO’s contribution at the country-level in Timor-Leste towards the achievement of the National Strategic Development Plan (SDP) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).

The Timor-Leste Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2016-2020 is developed jointly by the ILO and the tripartite constituents: the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment Policies (SEPFOPE) on behalf of the Government, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste (CCI-TL) and the Timor-Leste Trade Union Confederation (KSTL). The priority and outcomes expressed in the Decent Work Country Programme is the results of consultations and direct inputs of the government, employers’ and workers’ organization.

With gender equality, tripartism, social dialogue and institutional capacity building as mainstreamed issues, three Priorities on the following have been identified for Timor-Leste Decent Work Country Programme:
  1. Employment Promotion and Social Protection;
  2. Rural Socio-economic Development; and
  3. Good Labour Market Governance Institutions  
Reflecting the ILO’s tripartite constituents’ priorities, the Decent Work Country Programme provides a framework for the integration of the ILO’s contribution to national development initiatives, and also as framework for delivering coordinated support to advance decent work priorities in Timor-Leste.

Allow me to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment Policy Mr. Ilídio Ximenes da Costa, and his technical team (Director Generals and Directors); and to Social partners (CCI-TL and KSTL) for their commitment, cooperation and precious inputs in the development the Decent Work Country Programme.

This Decent Work Country Programme is the outcome of tripartite process that we have undertaken with motivation and conviction. It is an excellent example of successful social dialogue based on mutual trust and genuine commitment. It is a solid step towards a better future for the people in Timor-Leste.

This tripartite relationship is of fundamental importance to the ongoing social and economic development of Timor-Leste and to the achievement of our goal and objective in the Decent Work Country Programme.

After this event, we have arranged for a tripartite meeting to establish a steering committee and to develop strategic plan for the implementation of Decent Work Country Programme. I wishes for a fruitful programmes as we seek to deliver decent work to the people of Timor-Leste.

This ceremony reaffirms our commitment to enhance our cooperation, and to work together for the development of Timor-Leste.

Thank you.