SEPFOPE commemorates Labour Day
The Secretariat of State for Professional Training and Employment Policy (SEPFOPE) commemorated the Labour Day (the 1st of May) by organising a seminar under the following topic “Through professional training we reduce unemployment and strengthen harmony in the industrial relation”. The seminar took place on 30 April at the SEPFOPE Auditorium in Caicoli.
The objective of the seminar was to make a deep analysis, every year, between the Government and the employers so that there is a tripartite coordination in addressing the problem of unemployment in the country; intensify productivity and prosperity of employers and employees through a sound work plan; reduce labour conflicts by creating a stable work environment, and promote and monitor occupational safety and hygiene.
In accordance with the Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment Policy, Ilídio Ximenes da Costa, “this seminar draws our attention to the issue of dignified work. The objective of the International Labour Organisation is to protect the right and the dignity of the workers. When we talk of the political standard and of globalization, we cannot ignore our own identity as workers. How can we ensure the right of the workers if we do not start ensuring such right now?”.
“Development reduces unemployment not only in the public sector, but also in the private sector. Therefore, it is an important pillar. Other aspects are also indispensable: ideas, thought and actions that prove the interest in advocating the settlement of problems of the people and in supporting them”, Ilídio Ximenes da Costa stated.
The President of the Timor-Leste Trade Union Confederation. Agostinho Soares, asked the Government and the National Parliament to ensure stability of foreign investment as a way of reducing the number of unemployed people which has been increasing every year.
For the representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, João Baptista, “reducing the number of the unemployed implies providing the workers with technical skills through professional training, but also through private sector investment, instead of just waiting for the Government to do everything. Nevertheless, one needs to have the capacity to invest, and in order to have such capacity, the necessary conditions have to be created first”.
