First Timorese workers arrive in South Korea

Ambassador Carrascalao and Counsellor Natercia Coelho welcome the workers

The first Timorese workers have arrived in Seoul to start work under a bilateral agreement between Timor-Leste and South Korea.

They arrived in two groups..The first group arrived on the 6 of October and the second on the 20 of October. They were joined on the trip by a senior staff of the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE).

The workers were welcome at Seoul by Timor-Leste’s Ambassador, Mr Joao Carrascalao, Counselor of the Embassy, Ms. Natercia Coelho, and officials from the Korean Ministry for Labor.

Welcoming the workers, Ambassador Carrascalao told that the success of the program depended on their commitment, attitude and behavior, and the way they honoured the terms of their contracts as employees.

Ambassador Carrascalao urged them to take every opportunity to learn techniques and methods they could take home to help develop in Timor-Leste.

Ambassador Joao Carrascalao with Timorese Workers

Mr. Carrascalao told them that while living and working in South Korea they were subject to Korean law and customs, but they could rely on the embassy in Seoul to provide them with full support and to protect their rights and interests.

He said both President Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao were keen to see the program succeed and would be taking a personal interest in the progress of the first two groups.