Timor-Leste takes part in the Second Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs of the CPLP
On December 3rd, 2025, the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, attended the II Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), held in Praia, Cape Verde. The meeting, under the theme “Labour Migration and Decent Work in the CPLP,” aimed to enhance multilateral cooperation in labour, social inclusion, and labour protection, building on the discussions of the XVI Ordinary Meeting of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs of the CPLP, held on June 18th, 2025. 
The meeting brought together ministers and heads of delegation from the nine member states of the CPLP to examine common measures for promoting decent working conditions, social protection, and inclusion, with particular focus on the challenges related to labour mobility in the Portuguese-speaking world. 
In her speech, Minister Verónica das Dores reaffirmed Timor-Leste's ongoing commitment to promoting social protection, emphasising that ensuring decent working conditions also means protecting families, particularly the most vulnerable groups. She also stressed that reinforcing training and professional qualifications is a key element in securing better opportunities for access to employment.
During the meeting, ministers approved the “II CPLP Action Plan to Combat Child Labour (2026–2030)”, which will continue the plan in force from 2021 to 2025. Member states reaffirmed that eliminating the worst forms of child labour remains a moral, social, and legal imperative, committing to enhance cooperation and carry out coordinated actions.
The joint declaration of the CPLP for the VI Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, scheduled for February 2026 in Marrakesh, was also approved.
On December 2nd, the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion met with the Minister of Family, Inclusion, and Social Development of Cape Verde, Fernando Elísio Freire. The meeting facilitated the exchange of experiences and integrated policies adopted by the Governments of Timor-Leste and Cape Verde, aiming to build the foundation for a cooperation agreement focused on enhancing training in social security and starting discussions on a bilateral social security convention. During the meeting, the importance of deepening the exchange of experiences and best practices in monitoring, supervision, and the implementation of social protection measures was emphasised, especially regarding labour mobility and the safeguarding of migrant workers. 
The Timorese delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the National Social Security Institute (INPS), where it observed the operation, management, and digitisation of services, which are considered useful references for strengthening social security administration in Timor-Leste.
On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, Minister Verónica das Dores took part in the Second Forum on Occupational Health and Safety of the CPLP, held at the Palace of the Government in Praia. The forum gathered labour inspection services, ILO experts, academics, and representatives of professional associations, providing a platform to share experiences and strengthen prevention and occupational safety policies across the Portuguese-speaking world. 
On December 5th, the technical team from the delegation of the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion took part in a session dedicated to the “Challenges of the digital transition for safety and health in the workplace,” presenting contributions on national efforts to adapt occupational safety processes to the digital context. 
