Trade Union Officials Arrested in Timor-Leste - PRESS RELEASE

On Tuesday 18 November, the President of the Timor-Leste Trade Union Confederation (KSTL) and the Secretary of the General Workers’ Union, were arrested by police while taking part in a peaceful protest.

The protest was being staged in support of striking workers in Dili. Both men, President of the Timor-Leste Trade Union Confederation (KSTL), Mr Jose Zito da Costa, and the Secretary of the General Workers' Union, Mr Almerio Vila Nova, were released after several hours in the police station, as the police had no reason to detain them.

Timor-Leste's union believe that the motivation for the arrest was to intimidate both union officials and the striking workers.

The workers were engaged in a legal strike over the dismissal of 3 fellow workers who were sacked from Kmanek Supermarket (formerly Dili Cold Store), a wholesaler and retailer, owned and operated by Singaporean interests.

The dismissed workers are all members of the General Workers' Union who had been active in attempts to negotiate a collective agreement for themselves and their fellow workers at Kmanek Supermarket. The constitution and labour law of Timor-Leste clearly state that a company cannot dismiss any workers without reason, and also clearly state that workers have the right to form and join a union, and have the right to strike. The law also requires an employer to negotiate in good faith if workers indicate that they wish to bargain collectively.

After bipartite negotiations with the employer, during which the company refused to reinstate the three dismissed workers, the dispute was brought to the Department of Labour for discussion. The Department of Labour concluded that the employer should reinstate the dismissed workers, but the company refused. KSTL then gave the required 10 days notice the police, Kmanek Supermarket management, and the Department of Labour of their intention to strike.

Formal protests are being lodged by the union with the Government of Timor-Leste and the parliament over the intimidatory tactics used by the police, and the actions of the employer in refusing to honour the terms of the legislation. KSTL calls upon the government and the parliament to take serious actions to settle this matter as quickly as possible.

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 24-Nov-2008 12:32:39 EST
This page: http://apheda.org.au/news/1227490112_26396.html