Media Releases
- 30 of June of 2022Convention between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Portuguese Republic on Social SecurityPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Convention between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Portuguese Republic on Social Security
Given the high mobility in the labour market today, at the international level, with many workers residing and working in foreign countries, it is essential to negotiate agreements between States, which aim to ensure the rights to decent work, with social protection, regardless of the country where the worker lives.
Timor-Leste currently has a high number of citizens living and working abroad, with remittances representing an important income for the budget of many Timorese families. However, because social security regimes differ from country to country and, in the case of contributory regimes, a guarantee period is required to access social benefits, many workers are not entitled to these benefits, even though they have contributed for some time both in the country of origin and eventually also in Timor-Leste.
Therefore, given the number of citizens involved and the excellent historical ties between the two countries, the Governments of Timor-Leste and Portugal decided to sign a Convention on Social Security, which was signed today, June 29th, 2022, by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion of Timor-Leste and by the Secretary of State of Social Security of Portugal, representing their respective governments, with full powers granted for that purpose.
The said Convention covers all workers and nationals of the two countries, includes both the contributory and non-contributory social security regimes, and has two fundamental goals: on the one hand, the aggregation of the contributory periods completed in the two countries, allowing "summing up" the periods of work and the social security contributions in the two countries, for compliance with the guarantee periods for access to social benefits of the contributory regimes; on the other hand, to ensure equal treatment between the citizens of the two countries, allowing citizens of one country residing in the other country to benefit from the same rights and be subject to the same obligations as the nationals of that country of residence.
The Convention covers as of now all the benefits of the social security system approved in Timor-Leste, from the contributory and non-contributory regimes, and the equivalent benefits of the Portuguese social security system. In other words, it includes old age, disability and survival pensions and parental allowances of the contributory regime, as well as the old age and disability social pensions (SAII) of the non-contributory regime. It is also provided that new benefits, aimed at protecting other situations such as illness or unemployment, will be integrated when they are approved in Timor-Leste.
Thus, with the present Convention, and when it is ratified, Timorese citizens living in Portugal will be entitled to non-contributory benefits from the Portuguese social security system, while they are resident in that country, under the same conditions as a Portuguese citizen. On the other hand, Timorese workers exercising professional activity in Portugal and making social security contributions in that country will have this time of work and contribution counted in their contribution career, to fulfil the necessary period to be entitled to benefits under the contributory regime.
The Convention on Social Security signed today between Timor-Leste and Portugal represents, therefore, an important step, as it protects the citizens and workers of both countries, and allows labour mobility. ENDS
- 29 of June of 2022Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 29th, 2022Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 29th, 2022
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Justice, Tiago Amaral Sarmento, to appoint Roberto da Costa Pacheco, to exercise the functions of an effective member of the Government in the Superior Council of the Judiciary, for a four-year term. This Government Resolution also designates Digna Amélia Tilman as a substitute member of the Superior Council of the Judiciary. This Council is responsible for managing and disciplining the activity of judicial magistrates and also for appointing, placing, transferring and promoting judges in Timor-Leste. The Superior Council for the Judiciary is presided over by the Judge President of the Supreme Court of Justice and comprises four members, one of whom is appointed by the Government.
The draft Government Decree approving the salary of the Executive Director and the Statutory Auditor of the Ataúro Special Development Fund was approved. The proposed values for the remunerations of the executive and supervisory and control bodies of the Ataúro Special Development Fund have taken into consideration the complexity and volume of work that will have to be executed by them, as well as the value of the budget of the Ataúro Special Development Fund, whose execution and supervision, respectively, will be their responsibility.
The Council of Ministers has decided to approve the amendment to Public Contract No. ICB/018/MOPTC-2017 for the improvement and maintenance work of the Dili - Ainaro Road, Lot 2: Laulara - Solerema section, dated September 10th, 2018, and the authorization of the corresponding expenditure increase. The estimated handover deadline of the work is extended by 365 days from the effective date of the contract, ending on November 16th, 2022, and the price is increased in the amount of US$ 984,188.24, becoming fixed, due to this increase, at US$ 18,839,489.50. The draft resolution was presented by the Minister of Public Works, Abel Pires da Silva.
The draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Longuinhos dos Santos, aimed at proceeding with the third amendment to Decree-Law No. 7/2012 of 15 February, which approves the Statute of the University Teaching Career, was also approved. With this draft Decree-Law, a set of amendments to the legal regime for the University Teaching Career in Timor-Leste is proposed with a view to its continuous improvement, but always keeping it based on the basic principle of merit in the exercise of teaching activities, linked to research, teaching and contribution to the development of society. Amongst the alterations foreseen in this Decree-Law, the most important are the creation of two new levels in two different categories (B3 and C1+), the adjustment of credits between categories B3 and C3, the guarantee that all the credits obtained from the beginning of the approval of the career to date are considered, the reduction in the number of years of experience qualifying for career progression (five years to just one year) and the distinction between career teachers and contract teachers.
The Council of Ministers also decided to grant full powers to the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Armanda Berta dos Santos, for the signing of the Bilateral Convention on Social Security between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Portuguese Republic. The purpose of this convention is to protect the workers of both countries, allowing that the time worked in the other country be counted, to fulfil the terms of the guarantee of access to social benefits covered by the Convention. It also ensures that citizens of one of these two countries who reside in the other country benefit from the same social security rights and are subject to the same conditions as the nationals of that country of residence.
Lastly, the Minister of Finance, Rui Augusto Gomes presented to the Council of Ministers the political-legislative options underlying the initiative to create a legal regime for the public-private partnership for diagnostic services. The Timor-Leste Government intends to choose the implementation of a Public-Private Partnership ("PPP"), to make use of the experience and knowledge of private partners, to improve the quality and increase the range and scope of health care provided to the population, regarding laboratory and image diagnosis. END
- 22 of June of 2022Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 22nd, 2022Approved:more
1 - Set-up of the Municipal Finances Law;
2 - Financial contribution agreement between the Government of Timor-Leste and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), regarding the urgent rehabilitation program of infrastructure damaged by floods;
3 - Subsidiary agreement between the Government of Timor-Leste and the Government of Australia, relating to the partnership program for inclusive prosperity – Programa Parseria Ba Prosperidade Inkluzivu (PROSIVU). - 15 of June of 2022Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 15th, 2022Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 15th, 2022
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law approving the legal regime of higher education institutions, presented by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Longuinhos dos Santos. This draft Decree-Law revises several aspects of the current Legal Regime of Higher Education Institutions (RJEES – Portuguese acronym), established by Decree-Law No. 8/2010, of May 19th. Among the amendments introduced, of particular note is the concrete application of the legal regime for the national standard curriculum for higher education, which came into force in Timor-Leste through Decree-Law No. 3/2022 of December 12th, and the consolidation of the binary concept of the higher education system. Furthermore, norms were introduced regarding student associations, former students, and support for students in their integration into working life and the figure of the student ombudsman, as well as rules on the merger, division or transfer of private higher education institutions, on the recognition of the public interest of higher education institutions and the supervision and inspection of higher education institutions.
The Council of Ministers also approved the draft Law Proposal, presented by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, which proceeds with the second renewal of the exceptional and temporary health surveillance measures in response to the COVID-19 disease pandemic, extending the validity of article 3 of Law 24/2021, of November 19th. With this amendment, the exceptional measures are extended for 120 days.
Lastly, the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Armindo Maia, gave a presentation on the Process and Roadmap for teacher recruitment. Data were presented on the number of existing teachers and the recruitment forecast for the short term. END - 08 of June of 2022Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 8th, 2022Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 8th, 2022
The Council of Ministers met, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the Decree-Law project related to Property Registration, presented by the Minister of Justice, Tiago Amaral Sarmento. The purpose of this Decree-Law project is to approve the general regime for the execution, conservation, updating and access to property registration information. The objective of this Decree-Law is to give a relevant boost to the real estate survey and registry process so that, either the State or the citizens in general may enjoy, in all dimensions allowed by law, their real estate patrimony and proceed with the regularization of their rights before the public institutions created for that purpose.
The Council of Ministers also approved the draft Government Decree, presented by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Joaquim Amaral, which proceeds with the first amendment to Government Decree no. 10/2016, of September 21st, on the Remuneration of the Bodies of AIFAESA, I.P.. With this amendment, the salary level of the bodies of AIFAESA, I.P. is adjusted to the specificities, complexity and level of responsibility of the duties and competences developed, the importance that this Public Institute assumes in various economic sectors, as well as the current economic reality of Timor-Leste.
Lastly, the Council of Ministers also had the opportunity to be briefed on the following subjects:
Progress report on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) accession process and on bilateral negotiations on goods and services, presented by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Joaquim Amaral.
Progress of the implementation of the Bolsa da Mãe Project - Jerasaun Foun (new generation), presented by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Armanda Berta dos Santos. END
- 07 of June of 2022Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak holds first telephone meeting with his new counterpart from Australia, Anthony AlbanesePrime Ministermore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Dili, june 6th, 2022
Press Release
Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak holds first telephone meeting with his new counterpart from Australia, Anthony Albanese
His Excellency the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, held yesterday, Sunday, a first phone meeting with his new counterpart from Australia, Anthony Norman Albanese. During this conversation, both leaders shared information with the purpose of strengthening and deepening the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of these bilateral relations.
In this phone conversation, which lasted 11 minutes, the Timorese Head of Government, on behalf of the Timorese people and on his own behalf, greeted and congratulated His Excellency Anthony Albanese on his election as Prime Minister and reaffirmed Timor-Leste's commitment to continue to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations and cooperation between Dili and Canberra, both at the people' and the State's level.
The Head of the Timorese Executive took this opportunity to thank the Australian Government for its support during this period, in all areas, namely in crucial and important areas such as the Optic Fibre Project and the expansion of President Nicolau Lobato International Airport.
The Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, considers Australia as a partner and good friend of Timor-Leste, that has always stood by our people, since the Second World War, in 1999, in 2006 and in 2020-2021, in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and when Timor-Leste suffered with natural disasters.
On his turn, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, thanked his Timorese counterpart for the greetings and congratulations, reaffirming the commitment of the new Australian Government to continue to work with the current Government of Timor-Leste to support in several areas, namely in the challenges of climate change, labour mobility, regional security, E-Governance and economic development of the country.
Before concluding this conversation, and following the invitation from the Prime Minister Albanese, the Head of the Government of Timor-Leste answered positively and promised to visit Australia before the end of his term of office. This visit was scheduled for February this year, but due to the Prime Minister having tested positive to COVID-19, the visit had to be postponed. The Australian Head of Government was very pleased with the positive response to the invitation, and said he looks forward to seeing his Timorese counterpart in Australia. END
- 01 of June of 2022Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 1st, 2022Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 1st, 2022
The Council of Ministers met at the auditorium of the Ministry of Finance, in Dili, and approved the National Parliament Resolution Proposal that ratifies the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno. The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty in which the signatory countries have committed themselves to reduce their respective greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The Doha Amendment to this Protocol is also an important contribution to broadening awareness and mobilization regarding the need and demand for a greater global effort to combat climate change, namely by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5%. 147 countries have already ratified this amendment.
The Council of Ministers decided to authorize the Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, to negotiate an Air Services Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
The Council of Ministers also decided to grant full powers to the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Joaquim Amaral, to sign an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
The Council of Ministers also decided to grant full powers to the Minister of Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo, to sign a Cooperation Agreement in the area of Health between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Democratic Republic of East Timor.
The Council of Ministers also decided to grant full powers to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Social Communication, Francisco Martins da Costa Pereira Jerónimo, to sign an agreement with the National Radio and Television Administration of the People's Republic of China.
The Council of Ministers also deliberated to give full powers to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Media, Francisco Martins da Costa Pereira Jerónimo, to sign an agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, to proceed with the digitalization process of the Radio and Television of Timor-Leste and for the second phase of the digital terrestrial television project.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law regarding the First Amendment to the Decree-Law 16/ 2004, of October 1st, which approved the Cooperatives Law, presented by the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Joaquim Amaral. With this first amendment to the Decree-Law, some changes have been introduced that may constitute another incentive for the sector, insofar as cooperatives are crucial for the economic development of the country.
Following this amendment, the Council of Ministers approved three draft Decree-Laws, also presented by the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Joaquim Amaral.
The first is the draft Decree-Law on Trading Cooperatives. This decree-law aims to establish a specific legal regime for trading cooperatives.
The second is the draft Decree-Law on Agricultural Cooperatives. This decree-law aims to give legal expression to current and future trends in expanding the traditional areas of intervention of agricultural cooperatives.
And the third is the draft Decree-Law on Fishing Cooperatives. This decree-law intends to provide fishing cooperatives with a more complete legal framework, which will allow the development of fisheries in Timor-Leste.
Lastly, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Deliberation, presented by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, regarding the Authorization of expenditure and opening of the procurement procedure for the award of the contract for the acquisition of management services for the implementation of the Unique Identity System Implementation Strategy (Unique ID), the definition of the type of procedure to be adopted and authorization to enter into multi-annual commitments related to the execution of the contract to be awarded. With this deliberation, the Council of Ministers decides to authorize the opening of a procurement procedure, of the International Public Tender type, with a maximum value of US$ 13,814,201 (thirteen million, eight hundred and fourteen thousand, two hundred and one American dollars) also authorizing the Information and Communication Technologies Agency, I.P. to manage the execution of the Unique Identity System Implementation Strategy (Unique ID) in a pluri-annual regime. END - 30 of May of 2022Government congratulates Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva on his elevation to CardinalPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Dili, May 30th, 2022
Press Release
Government congratulates Dom Virgílio do Carmo da Silva on his elevation to Cardinal
The 8th Constitutional Government expresses congratulations on the decision by Pope Francis to appoint the current Archbishop of Dili, His Most Reverend Excellency Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, as the first Cardinal in Timor-Leste.
This decision was announced yesterday, May 29th, by Pope Francis, at the end of the Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square. The elevation ceremony of the first Timorese Cardinal and the other new Cardinals, also appointed yesterday, will take place this coming August 27th.
Cardinals are members of the College of Cardinals, an advisory body to the Pope, whose duty is to assist him in the governance of the Catholic Church.
His Most Reverend Excellency Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, son of José do Carmo and Isabel da Silva was born in Venilale on November 27th, 1968. He made his aspirancy, pre-Seminary, in Fatumaca in 1983. He entered the novitiate, also in Fatumaca, in the year 1989-1990. He took his first vows on May 31st, 1990. He did his philosophical studies and theology in the Philippines, in Canlubang and Parañaque, respectively. He took his final vows on March 19th, 1997. He received his sacerdotal ordination in Parañaque, in the Philippines, on December 18th, 1998. He was then assigned to the Salesian house in Venilale as bursar and vicar. In 2005, he was sent to Rome where he studied Spiritual Theology at the Salesian Pontifical University. Upon his return to Timor-Leste, he was appointed Master of Novices and Director of Fatumaca House, positions he held from 2008 until January 2014, when he took over as Provincial Superior.
On March 19th, 2016, His Most Reverend Excellency Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Dili and on September 11th, 2019 he was appointed the first Archbishop of Dili.
The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, on behalf of the 8th Constitutional Government, congratulated, today, by phone, His Most Reverend Excellency Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva and also the representative of the Vatican in Timor-Leste, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi, for this so honourable distinction, that represents an enormous pride for all Timorese people and that constitutes a deserved recognition of his work and his human qualities. END
