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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on January 10th, 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree Law, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, and the President of the Civil Service Commission, Agostinho Letêncio de Deus, on the Regime for Management and Leadership Positions in the Civil Service.
Currently, the rules in force require the candidate for the temporary managerial position to belong to a specific category and grade of the general regime careers. According to frequent complaints from ministerial lines, this has led to difficulties in filling these positions. This legislative amendment aims to make these rules more flexible, allowing lower-ranking civil servants to take on managerial posts on a temporary basis, provided they have demonstrated professional experience in the corresponding area. The draft decree-law also stipulates that the replacement of managerial positions must be carried out by civil servants, ruling out the possibility of temporary appointment by civil service agents.
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The members of the Council of Ministers discussed the Secretary of State for Civil Protection’s presentation on the impacts of the heavy rains that affected infrastructure, homes and communities in various regions of the country yesterday. The authorities’ emergency response was also assessed, as well as the measures needed to prevent risks and minimise the future impacts of flooding.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Decree, presented by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, which establishes the remuneration of the Presidents of Municipal Authorities.
This draft Government Decree complies with Article 24(2) of Decree-Law No. 3/2016 of March 16th, as amended by Decree-Law No. 84/2023 of November 23rd, establishing the remuneration of the Presidents of Municipal Authorities, taking into account the degree of responsibility that falls upon them and the impetus that will be given to the process of territorial decentralisation, which will entail an increase in the material, budgetary and human resources that will be placed under their responsibility.
Therefore, the Presidents of the Municipal Authorities will be entitled to a gross monthly salary of US$ 1,750.
This Government Decree will enter into force on the day following its publication and will take effect on January 1st, 2024. Government Decree no. 3/2016, of April 6th, as amended by Government Decree no. 20/2021, of August 11th, is hereby repealed.
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The draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of the Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres, on the National Action Plan 2024-2028 for implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, was also approved.
Resolution 1325, approved by the United Nations Security Council on October 31, 2000, highlights the importance of promoting gender equality in all phases of peacebuilding and security processes, recognising the specific impacts of contemporary wars on the lives of women and girls. The 1325 National Action Plan defines objectives and actions to be carried out under four main pillars: Participation, Prevention, Protection and Peacebuilding, to strengthen the role of women in peacekeeping and state-building.
This plan, led by the Ministry of the Interior, had the collaboration of several ministries, including Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Justice, Defence, and the Secretariat of State for Equality and Inclusion. The Plan was drawn up through a consultative and inclusive process that also included development partners, civil society organisations, and representatives of vulnerable groups such as rural women, people with disabilities, conflict survivors, and the LGBTIQ+ community.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Vice Prime Minister for Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Céu Brites, for the first amendment to Decree-Law no. 53/2022, of July 20th, which approves the legal regime for disability and old age social pensions under the non-contributory social security system.
This Decree-Law aims to revise the formula for calculating the monthly amount of pensions under the non-contributory social security system, given that although this value has been set by reference to the international poverty threshold, there is a need for greater adjustment to the national reality, especially for people of older ages – and, also for this reason, with greater difficulties in accessing other income and with greater health problems.
With this Decree-Law, this social benefit will also no longer be cumulative with income from work for everyone and not just for new pensioners as was previously defined, without prejudice to guaranteeing the acquired right to benefits already paid.
With this Decree-Law, the daily amount considered the minimum to live with dignity, estimated by the Government according to the poverty line and economic situation, will now be US$ 2, which results in a monthly amount of US$ 60. In addition, US$ 20 will be added for citizens between the ages of 70 and 79 and US$ 40 for citizens over the age of 80. END