UNITED NATIONS TRANSITIONAL ADMINISTRATION IN EAST TIMOR Dili, 15 December 2000

NATIONAL COUNCIL APPROVES MOTION ON LABOUR

In its last formal session before the National Council recesses for the holidays, the body voted to approve a motion on labour issues presented by Cabinet member Avelino Coelho da Silva.

The motion addresses labor issues related to drivers working for the World Food Program. According to Coelho da Silva, the World Food Program hired Timorese drivers on unfavorable labor conditions for the Timorese (contracts signed in English, low salaries, long working hours, etc), a situation observed throughout East Timor.

In order to improve labor relations, he proposed, among other things, that the Transitional Administration implement the existing Indonesian Labor Law and other related International Conventions, that the Standing Committee on Internal Administration and Social Affairs be instructed to prepare a Labor Law to replace the existing Indonesian Labor Law, and that minimum wage be established in the country.

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