Paulina Quintao – The Indonesian Government has agreed to pay about 3,000 former Timorese civil servants who worked during the occupation and are still owed money for benefits. The names were left off the list for payment despite having the correct documentation.
The General Director of the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training Policy and Employment (SEPFOPE) Jacinto Barros Gusmao said a team from SEPFOPE had already met with the Indonesian government twice to discuss the payment of outstanding benefits for former civil servants, including those who joined the army and police force.
"The government of Indonesia will pay those whose names are listed with complete documents, [but] not for those with incomplete documents," said Gusmao.
The Indonesian government last year paid back those former civil servants whose names were included on the list.
However, the SEPFOPE team found that about 3,000 people with the proper documentation weren't on the list. Their names have since been registered and sent to Indonesia for verification. "We've sent the list with the names to the Indonesian Ministery of Foreign Affairs to submit to the competent authority to verify the names," said Gusmao.
Former civil servants, soldiers and police officers from Timor are still owed money for health insurance, housing and pensions. They have been waiting for payment since 1999 when Indonesia withdrew from Timor-Leste.
Those former civil servants who received health insurance payouts to undergo treatment during occupation or didn't want their salary to be cut for housing benefits would not be included on the list. In June, the SEPFOPE team will travel to Indonesia for further discussions with the Indonesian government to try and resolve the issue.
President of parliamentary Commission D (responsible for economy and development) MP Jacinta Abucau Pereira also called on the Timorese government to raise the matter with the Indonesian government. "It (the issue) needs serious discussion as that's their (workers) right," she said.