Government of Timor-Leste

The State Secretariat for Professional Training and Employment Policy (SoSPTEP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) organized a three day’ training – from June 3^rd to June 5^th – on “The Role of Security Forces Regarding Freedom of Association”. The training, that took place in Delta Nova, Dili, was intended to about 50 participants, amongst officers on the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), unions’ representatives, employers and SSPTEP’s staff.

At the opening session, the Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment Policy, Ilídio Ximenes da Costa, underlined the importance of freedom of assembly and demonstration (that come from the freedom of association) and of the right to strike, as essential pillars of Democracy and Rule of Law.

The participants received a Tetum version of Law 2/2006, from February 8^th, about freedom of assembly and demonstration and of Law 5/2012, from February 29^th, about the right to strike, as well as an explanatory manual for both laws. This manual highlights the role and importance of security forces in peace maintenance and as a guarantee of the citizens’ fundamental rights. Apart from the internal legislation, participants also received training over the main tools and current international treaties related to freedom of assembly and expression and the right to strike.

This training session also helped to reinforce the existing institutional links between ILO and SSPTEP, that participates, with an official delegation of tripartite representation, in the 102^nd International Labour Conference that occurs in Geneva from June 5^th to June 20^th. This ILO’s annual conference aims to promote social dialogue at a global level and approaches the major aspects affecting work market nowadays, namely, high unemployment rates, workers’ income reduction, the increase of precarious work situation, that produce devastating effects in the quality of life and acquired rights of the workers.