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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 30th, 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Government Resolution that extends, until April 10th, 2025, the suspension of the teaching, learning and practice of martial arts and the temporary closure of all places and facilities intended for the teaching, learning and practice of martial arts, initially approved by Government Resolution no. 45/2023, of November 10th, and extended by Government Resolution no. 17/2024, of April 24th.
This Government Resolution aims to consolidate and strengthen the social peace achieved since November 2023. With a considered and controlled approach, the aim is to allow martial arts to be practised exclusively in a sporting context in the future, promoting healthy exercise and contributing to young people’s education and civic and humanistic training. However, martial arts teaching, learning, and practice remain suspended, and so does the temporary closure of the respective facilities.
The Government congratulates the population, particularly young people, for their cooperation in complying with Government Resolution 17/2024 of April 24th, which has contributed significantly to maintaining order and social peace throughout the country.
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The draft Decree-Law on the Seniority-based Promotion Scheme for Civil Service Career Staff, 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, was also approved.
This legislative initiative aims to ensure career progression for those who, for various reasons, have been unable to achieve promotions based on merit over the last few years. The scheme is based on criteria such as seniority, performance evaluation, age, professional training, service in remote areas, good behaviour and attendance. The law states that promotion by seniority will take place annually and will be carried out through an internal competition regulated by the Civil Service Commission, which determines the vacancies available for each grade and professional category.
This seniority-based promotion system is expected to reduce career stagnation among civil servants. It values the dedication of long years to public service, especially for those who find it challenging to participate in conventional competitions.
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Lastly, the draft Government Resolution, presented by The Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, on compliance with the enrolment and contribution obligations under the Contributory Social Security Scheme, was approved.
This Government Resolution reinforces the State’s duty, enshrined in Article 56 of the Constitution of the Republic, to organise a social security system that protects all workers in the country, in the public and private sectors, and ensures the right to social security and assistance. Established by Law no. 12/2016, of November 14th, the social security system has been in force since 2017. It defines the responsibilities of employers, including the registration of workers and the monthly submission of remuneration statements to the National Social Security Institute (INSS).
This Government Resolution stipulates that all entities in the State’s direct and indirect administration must regularise the registration of their workers with the INSS by November 15th, 2024, and submit monthly pay statements by the 15th of each month. The INSS provides the necessary tables on its website and will present a list of non-compliant entities to the Council of Ministers by November 30th, 2024.
Failure to comply with this Resolution shall render those responsible for the services and entities of the State’s direct and indirect administration with competence for the enrolment of workers and the monthly delivery of Remuneration Statements liable to civil, financial, reinstatement and disciplinary action. END