Council of Ministers’ meeting of January 31st, 2017
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Sixth Constitutional Government
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Dili, January 31st, 2017
Press Release
Council of Ministers meeting of January 31st, 2017
The Council of Ministers met on Tuesday at the Government Palace in Dili, and approved the Decree-Law establishing the National Press of Timor-Leste, presented by the Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers, together with representatives from the National Printing House. The National Press of Timor-Leste will succeed the National Printing House, which was restructured in 2013. Last year, this restructuring and the institution’s entry into the domestic market on a trial basis, providing graphic production services to private entities, proved to be a success.
The Ministry of Justice submitted an amendment to the new passport regime, aiming to adjust it to international standards. This was approved by the Council of Ministers.
The Secretary of State for Employment Policy and Vocational Training presented three proposals. The first, on the recovery of movable State assets by the National Centre for Employment and Professional Training in Tibar, was approved. The amendment to Decree-law No. 8/2008, of March 5th, which creates the National Labour Force Development Institute (INDMO), adjusting that decree to reflect the autonomous nature of this Public Institute, was also approved. Finally, the Draft Law on Work Health, Safety and Hygiene was analysed, and is expected to be resubmitted shortly to the Council of Ministers after revision.
The Council of Ministers decreed July 22nd as National Health Day. The proposal for this resolution was put forward by the Ministry of Health. The 22nd of June marks the start of the “Health in the Family” Program, in 2015, which aims to extend primary health care to all families, especially those who live in remote areas. The National Health Day is not integrated in the list of National Holidays or Official Commemorative Dates. Also from the Ministry of Health, the Statutes of the Eduardo Ximenes Regional Hospital (Baucau) were approved. This text establishes the organizational structure of the institution, which, through Resolution No. 17/2016 of June 22nd, transformed the Referral Hospital in Baucau into a Regional Hospital.
The Government's proposal on the Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Republic of Cape Verde on the exemption of visas in ordinary passports, presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, was approved. This measure will facilitate the movement of citizens and contribute to the promotion of cultural, commercial and academic exchanges between these two countries belonging to the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).
The Minister of State, Coordinator of Economic Affairs and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries saw his proposal to appoint Sabino Rua for the position of Executive Director of the Institute for Research, Development, Training and Promotion of Bamboo approved. This appointment comes following the amendment made last December regarding the management of this institute, replacing the Board of Directors by an Executive Director.
The Minister of State also presented a resolution regarding the Government commitment to the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Child 2016-2020, which was approved by the Council of Ministers. This National Action Plan aims to guide the relevant entities in the preparation of policies and programmes directed to children, in accordance with priorities established for the promotion of children's rights in Timor-Leste.
The extraordinary and temporary Subsidy to address wage reduction proposed by the Prime Minister, along with the Civil Service Commission, was approved. This follows the adoption of new salary tables and the remuneration methodology for leadership positions, approved by Decree-Law Nos. 24/2016 and 25/2016. It is now necessary to temporarily adjust the remuneration of a group of employees occupying leadership and management positions who saw their wages reduced.
The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment presented a project for the creation of Timor-Leste’s Quality Institute. The project foresees the creation of an indirect administration service to coordinate a national system of quality. It will be resubmitted to the Council of Ministers.
The Vice-Minister of Finance presented the Report and Opinion of the General State Accounts of 2015, taking into account the recommendations of the Board of Auditors. The document will soon be submitted to the National Parliament.
The Minister of Justice updated the Council of Ministers on the joint ministerial decree between the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Finance, regarding the electronic passport of Timor-Leste, and its associated costs. ENDS
