The Government of Timor-Leste approved this Wednesday a diploma with measures to try to speed up actions to protect Timorese citizens abroad, in the context of growing concern about emigrants deceived by human trafficking networks.
The decree-law, approved by the Council of Ministers, contemplates aspects such as “Provision of aid in the event of a natural catastrophe or serious disturbance of public order” and situations of repatriation.
Emergency food and shelter support and assistance in cases of arrest or detention are other measures covered by the diploma.
Fidelis Magalhães, minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, told Lusa that the decree-law is part of a set of measures that the executive is taking to face the “great concern” caused by the East Timorese deceived and abandoned abroad. , predominantly in Portugal
“During the meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister also gave a very clear instruction on the need to control travel agencies and people because we know that many are there deceiving people, selling false things, false information about business opportunities. work abroad,” said Magalhães.
“We see that there are people who pay five or six thousand dollars [5.100 ou 6.100 euros] for these trips, without having correct confirmations that there will be opportunities. Some owners of these agencies are just out there collecting money and cheating people,” she stressed.
The lack of work in Timor-Leste is causing an exodus of young workers, with Portugal becoming a top destination, with many taking advantage of easier entry conditions than other countries.
A demand that is causing the appearance of agencies and advertisements that try to deceive young Timorese, charging them large sums with the promise of work or visas.
Many East Timorese end up being duped and then virtually abandoned in their host countries, including Portugal. The most dramatic situations are experienced in Lisbon and Serpa, with many East Timorese on the streets and others living in groups in temporary facilities.
Families also end up with heavy debts behind them, with illegal loans granted at very high interest rates.
“The Government has instructed the Home Office and relevant agencies to investigate and put an end to this practice. The investigations are ongoing and we appeal to the MP. [Ministério Público] be more proactive,” said the minister.
Fidelis Magalhães said that the situation is causing “great concern” to the executive, but that there may be opportunities here to move forward with measures that guarantee “safe mobility and deeper integration with Portugal.”
In this sense, he explained, instructions were given to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC) and the Ministry of Solidarity and Social Inclusion (MSSI), to discuss with Lisbon options that help regularize this mobility.
“This situation should not be a reason to reduce integration and mobility. On the Timor-Leste side we have a responsibility to put an end to these illicit practices, regardless of who is the perpetrator of these practices, but perhaps a window into the future. , with more mobility, with situations of trust and real opportunities”, said the minister.
That scenario, Fidelis Magalhães said, could involve a program in which workers going to Portugal receive specific professional training and training in Portuguese, financed by Timor-Leste, which will allow better integration into the labor market.
“Therefore, here we have to first stop false information and illicit activities that aim to mobilize people here with dreams and false information to deceive them, but also talk to Portugal about whether it is possible to create opportunities for training, East Timorese training in the Portuguese language and in vocational training mechanisms”, he said.
Fidelis Magalhães said that Timor-Leste is aware of the obligations derived from the Schengen area, of which Portugal is a part, but that there are options to create a new space for labor mobility and integration.
Regarding the decree-law approved today, Fidelis Magalhães said that the diploma gives the Government room to act more quickly in various situations, stressing, however, that it is also necessary to think in terms of public policies that do not help perpetuate illegalities. current.
“This issue is not just a legal issue. The government must not encourage illicit activities. This support should not be an incentive for families to continue paying for these trips, without responsibility, and then, if it goes wrong, the government helps”, he said.
“The Government does not want to be shot in the butt. We have a constitutional and legal responsibility to protect, but there has to be an educational component. We do not want to create false promises and open a Pandora’s box, embark on an endless process, ”she stressed. the minister.
Timorese police and investigative authorities today pledged to strengthen control of migrants, in order to reduce possible cases of human trafficking, while investigations into the networks involved continue.
The decision was announced after a meeting at the Presidency of the Republic, promoted by the Military House, and in which the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), the Scientific Criminal Investigation Police (PCIC), the National Service of Intelligence (SNI), the Defense Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), Immigration, the Verification Service and Registration of Companies (SERVE) and the commission to combat human trafficking.
“The entities linked to security, we meet, in the framework of concern for the situation of the citizens of East Timor abandoned in Germany, Abu Dhabi [nos Emirados Árabes Unidos]Malaysia and Portugal,” Major Francisco da Silva, interim head of the Military House, explained to journalists.
“We have information that on the 27th there are about 250 Timorese who will travel abroad. Given the concern about this fact, we called the security forces to discuss ideas to deal with this issue. We will act to enforce the law. . “and all regulations from now on,” he said.
The military said that the authorities continue to investigate “illegal agencies” involved in possible cases of human trafficking, which have led to “more than five thousand East Timorese” now being in situations of “abandonment” or difficulties abroad.
Source: TSF
