The Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Minister of Tourism and Environment of Timor-Leste, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, represented Timor-Leste at the 28th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (ALMM), held in Singapore from October 27^th to 31^st. The meeting, chaired by Singapore’s Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, was attended by ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, celebrating 50 years since the first meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, in April 1975. 

Singapore’s chairmanship of the ALMM until 2026 has adopted the theme ‘Strengthening Resilience and Promoting Innovation’, centred on supporting ASEAN member states to face the challenges and seize the opportunities arising from the rapid changes in the world of labour.

During the 28th Meeting, ASEAN Labour Ministers approved important guidelines and declarations to face the labour challenges of the future. For example, the Guidelines for the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families in Crisis Situations reaffirm ASEAN’s commitment to offering support during future crises and emergencies. The Declaration on Occupational Safety and Health was also approved, underlining the commitment to creating safe and sustainable working environments essential for long-term economic growth.

The meeting also reinforced ASEAN’s commitment to international cooperation, especially with the ‘Plus Three’ dialogue partners – China, Japan and Korea – to strengthen labour market resilience and tackle emerging issues such as work on digital platforms, gender equality and safety at work.

In his speech, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay stressed the importance of regional cooperation in facing global changes in the labour market and highlighted Timor-Leste’s commitment to building a resilient economy. He added that Timor-Leste is committed to collaborating with ASEAN countries to develop innovative labour policies that promote inclusive development and the well-being of citizens. 

Alongside attending the event, the Vice Prime Minister met with Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, to discuss Singapore’s continued support for Timor-Leste’s integration process into ASEAN. Balakrishnan recognised Timor-Leste’s potential, highlighting its young population and strong commitment to regional progress. Kalbuadi Lay also met with Singapore’s Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, to explore possible partnerships in skills development, labour security and policy innovation.