Paulina Quintao – From January until April 2014, the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training Policy and Employment (SEPFOPE) through the National Directorate for Employment Relations (DNRT) registered 40 cases involving labour disputes between workers and employers.

The National Director of DNRT, Angela Dos Santos Veloso said the socialisation of Labour Regulation No.4/2012 partially explains the rise in labour dispute complaints and it shows workers increasingly understand the law.

"The complaints we receive are mainly regarding cases where employees do not have clear contracts or do not get paid the standard minimum wage set by the government of US$115," said Director Veloso from her office in Caicoli, Dili.

She added of the 40 cases, 10 were solved through mediation between SEPFOPE, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Timor-Leste (CCITL) and by the East Timor Syndicates Confederation (KSTL). Other complaints were subsequently dropped by the workers.

In 2013 the DNRT registered 293 cases and whilst 160 of the labour disputes were solved, other cases were dropped.

The DNRT also received complaints of violent abuses against workers and because the directorate does not deal with such cases, it recommended workers to bring their accusations to the police for subsequent criminal investigation.

Meantime worker Eugenio da Silva suggested that SEPFOPE should establish branch offices in the districts and sub-districts to collect complaints by workers because there are also many employers in the districts and in rural areas.

"I recommend SEPFOPE sets up boxes where workers can drop their complaints especially those working in the districts and who cannot bring their concerns to the capital," said Da Silva.

He proposed the inspector general ensures workers identities are protected if they make a complaint because workers fear losing their jobs if they come forward to file their concerns.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/news/12542-sepfope-registers-40-labour-dispute-cases-in-2014