Celestina Soares, Est – The President of Timor-Leste National Youth Council (CNJTL), Maria Dadi Magno said unemployment rates in Timor-Leste are high and increasing annually, because now there are more high school graduates.

She said from the total number of high school graduates only some go on to study at university, while the others go into unemployment.

"The rates of unemployment rose from 15,000 to 20,000 annually. This is because there aren't any jobs out there," said the President of CNJTL in Dili.

Although she is happy with the rising numbers of high school graduates, as it is important for the Nation that students complete their studies, there also is a huge need for more employment opportunities.

"We are happy about the quantity and still sad with the quality. We estimate that 7.000 people continue their studies, some obtains scholarships to go overseas and but also in the country," she said.

The President went on to say we now have a National Youth Policy that will look at good intervention strategies to reduce unemployment, especially for those at risk The policy also gives more consideration to focus on the unemployed.

"Some have natural ability but don't have opportunities and we need to look at this," she said.

Evaristo de Deus, Program Manager from the organization Forum Tau Matan (FTM), said they focus on the young unemployed people in rural areas and provide leadership training, public speaking and improve ways for them to compete in the labor market.

"We know there are many unemployed and our government opens many fieldwork opportunities yearly, many young people have the ability, however they are often shy to compete in the labor market," he said.

One resident Filomena da Costa asked the government to provide field work to the youth because today many youth are jobless.

"I would like to ask the new government to find a mechanism that reduces unemployment in Timor-Leste, because most young people in Timor-Leste are jobless,"she urged.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/14925-unemployment-rates-increasing-annually