CONSULTATIONS ON PROPOSED LABOR REGULATIONS

A draft labor code was agreed upon today after three days of consultations between the East Timor Transitional Administration, employers, workers and members of civic society. The code, comprising four proposed labor regulations, will cover termination of employment, employment and labor administration, minimum wage fixing, labor relations, vocational and traineeship, and occupational safety and health. Ten demands have been raised by East Timorese labor and political leaders and most of them have been incorporated in the draft regulations, which will now be handed over to UNTAET’s Office for the Principal Legal Adviser. It is expected that the final draft will be handed over to the East Timor Transitional Cabinet by the middle of next month. If endorsed, the regulations will then be referred to the National Council for its consideration. The first round of consultations between the Division of Labor and Social Services, employers and workers were held in January. Over 100 people from various East Timorese civic groups have been consulted on the matter.