Job seekers demonstrate in East Timor

Job seekers demonstrate in East Timor

By Vanya Tanaja

DILI — Frustration and discontent spilt over into another demonstration here on March 7 as 300 job seekers gathered outside the offices of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor. The job seekers alleged collusion and nepotism in the appointment of local UNTAET workers, an allegation strenuously denied by the UNTAET human resources department.

Timorese Socialist Party secretary general, Avelino da Silva, himself a member of the UNTAET national consultative council, was asked by UNTAET officials to assist in resolving the situation.

After negotiations, an agreement was made for the demonstrators to disperse after they were allowed to complete a job application form and to be considered for positions which arise, such as providing security for offices and UNTAET facilities.

Da Silva warned that if the needs of the demonstrators were not met there will be more unrest. The labour situation here promises more such demonstrations in the future, because a majority of people are unemployed and a considerable disparity exists between the wages of the numerous foreign workers and those of locals.

From GLW issue 398