Meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 1st 2025
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 1st 2025
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by Minister Gil da Costa Monteiro “Oan Soru”, which aims to grant a one-time financial support to the family members (parents or siblings) of the Martyrs of the National Liberation who have not left the heirs provided for in paragraph a) of paragraph 1 of article 27 of the Statute of the Combatants of the National Liberation.
The law sets the benefit at US$10,000, to be awarded to the parents or, in their absence, to the siblings of the National Liberation Martyrs. The goal is to recognize and honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for the independence of Timor-Leste, ensuring social justice for their immediate family members who were excluded from the pensions provided for in the Combatants' Statute.
The request for support must be formalized with the Ministry of National Liberation Combatants' Affairs, in coordination with the National Liberation Combatants' Council, by applying and the required documentation. Payment will be made by bank transfer directly to the beneficiary's account.
The one-time financial support cannot be combined with other pensions granted under the Statute of National Liberation Combatants and, if there is more than one beneficiary, the amount will be divided equally.
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The draft Decree-Law, presented by the Vice-Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Céu Brites, regarding the legal regime of social protection in the event of illness within the scope of the contributory social security regime, was also approved.
The law establishes sickness benefits, ensuring workers covered by the contributory regime are entitled to a social benefit that partially replaces lost income in the event of temporary incapacity to work. The measure aims to strengthen social protection in cases of illness, reduce inequalities between the public and private sectors, and avoid additional burdens on employers, preventing the risk of rising unemployment.
Sickness benefit will be granted upon request, based on a medical certificate issued by the National Health Service, and its value will correspond to a percentage of the reference salary, varying between 60% and 80% depending on the duration of the disability. The maximum benefit period is 120 days and may be extended for up to 365 days in cases of duly proven serious illnesses.
With the approval of this diploma, the Government takes another step in the progressive expansion of the contributory social security regime, complying with the Constitution and the commitments made in the Program of the IX Constitutional Government and the National Social Protection Strategy.
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The Council of Ministers approved the Government Resolution project, presented by the Minister of Defense, Donaciano do Rosário Gomes, which creates the Interministerial Crisis Management Office.
The new body will have the purpose, in situations of serious risk or threat to national security, to coordinate and define the terms of inter-ministerial cooperation, to safeguard public order, security and tranquility, as well as to ensure the joint and coordinated action of the Defense Forces, Security Forces and Services and Civil Protection agents.
The Interministerial Crisis Management Office will be chaired by the Prime Minister and will be composed of the Vice Prime Ministers, the Ministers of Defense, the Minister of Interior, Minister of Justice, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Minister of Finance and the Minister of State Administration, as well as the Chief of the General Staff of the F-FDTL, the Commander-General of the PNTL and the Director-General of the National Strategic Intelligence Service.
In extraordinary circumstances of urgency, the Office will be operated by the Minister of Defense and the Minister of the Interior. Whenever necessary, these two members of the Government will be responsible for proposing forms of interministerial coordination and ensuring the coordination of measures, plans, and operations aimed at safeguarding internal security, with the operationalization of the established joint task force. This resolution shall come into force on the day following its publication and shall remain in effect until January 6th, 2026.
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Finally, the Council of Ministers approved a draft Government Resolution, presented by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, which determines the cancellation of licenses granted for the operation of online gaming and betting.
This Government Resolution also determines the cancellation of ongoing licensing procedures and the prohibition of new licenses for this type of activity, given the identified risks to the country's security, social stability, economic integrity, and international reputation. The relevant minister, together with the security forces, must oversee the implementation of the measures approved by this Government Resolution.
The diploma also establishes the review of applicable legislation, particularly Decree-Law No. 6/2016, of April 20th, regarding the regulation of the sector. END
