To dignify and enhance professionalism, provision of good services, consistent creativity and innovation, the Timor-Leste Government awarded distinctions and prizes to six public officials who had an exceptional performance in their functions, at a ceremony held on November 7th, 2016, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in Dili.
The six winners are 4 women and 2 men, employees of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice and the Ministries of Health, Social Solidarity and Justice.
At the awards ceremony, the Prime Minister, Rui Maria de Araújo, stressed that, with the approval of the Decree-Law on the distinctions and awards for civil servants, the Government intends to demonstrate that work in the civil service should be carried out aiming merit. For this reason, the Chief Executive called for those honoured to serve as an example and reference to all civil servants, starting in their own workplace.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Rui Maria de Araújo praised women because, this year, the highest Order of Merit of the Public Service was mainly awarded to women, adding that this is a concrete example that shows the quality of Timorese women. The Prime Minister declared that he was already in anticipation of meeting those awarded next year.
In turn, the President of the Civil Service Commission, Faustino Cardoso Gomes, stressed that these distinctions and awards, according to the law, are awarded to exemplary State institutions and the civil servants of the Public Administration which, in their performance, show efficiency, effectiveness and high professional dedication, in addition to fulfilling their contractual obligations.
Faustino Cardoso Gomes congratulated and expressed his appreciation for the civil servants who were awarded the prize this year. He asked them to continue to have a good professional performance and to be an example for their colleagues, to better serve the people and the State of Timor-Leste.
In accordance with the Decree-Law No. 41/2015, there are Distinctions and Awards for two categories, individual and institutional. In the individual category, the selected employee may obtain a Commendation or the Order of Merit of the Civil Service; in the institutional category, the services are those awarded with the Diploma of Honour or with the Prime Minister Institutional Award.
The winners of the Order of Merit of Public Service are also entitled to a cash prize, which this year was 3,000 dollars, and the progression of two ranks in the career they are in. The names of the winners will be published in the Official Gazette (in Portuguese: Jornal da República).