On Monday, January 30, the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS), presented at a press conference held at the premises of the ministry, the law that regulates the transitional regime of the social security system for State employees.

The Minister of Social Solidarity, Maria Domingas Alves, announced that this Law, already approved by the National Parliament, is the first diploma that regulates the social security system in Timor-Leste. This Diploma represents the government’s decision to create a system which benefits, for now, State workers and establishes social rights that will be the basis for a general and definitive system of social security.

Maria Domingas Alves added that, as foreseen in the law, State employees may request, in accordance with their individual circumstances, the old age pension, invalidity pension or survivor’s pension.

The Secretary of State for Social Security, Vitor da Costa, considered this law a commitment by the Government, along with the already approved Labour Code, to ensure social security to all State employees.

The President of the Public Service Commission, Libório Pereira, said that employees with retirement age were around1200 which, when including survivors’ pensions and disabilitybecomes a total of 2074 employees.

The event was attended by the Minister of Social Solidarity, the Secretary of State for Social Security, the Vice Minister of Finance and the President of Civil Service Commission.