The General Workers Union of Timor-Leste tells ETAN
that they met with the US Embassy on 3 February 2011 and
successfully settled the dispute about the
unfair dismissal of Mario Baretto and
their subsequent claim that their national staff cannot join a
union. ETAN
had written the embassy about the dispute.
From the union:
The Embassy advised that they had mistakenly
stated their policy and affirmed their staff’s right to join a
union:
The US Embassy seeks to be a model employer
and respects workers and the role of unions in representing
workers. The Administration has been a strong international
supporter of labour rights and we want to maintain an open
relationship with the unions and labor rights advocates here in
Timor-Leste.
The Embassy also confirmed that they seek to be
fully compliant with local labour laws and resolved Mr Baretto’s
dismissal consistent with the Labour Code of Timor-Leste.
The General Workers Union of Timor-Leste and the
Trade Union Confederation of Timor-Leste would like to thank all
those individuals and organisations that supported Mr Baretto
and Timorese workers by writing to the Ambassador.
Please direct any media enquiries to:
Almerio Vila Nova
General Secretary, General Workers Union
+670 724 8482
