The Secretary of State for Social Security of Portugal promised this Friday in Timor-Leste to maintain support for Dili in this area, a crucial “investment” for the country and to support the populations in critical moments, enhancing development opportunities.
“We have been very committed to this aspect of cooperation, of institutional strengthening in social securitywhich seems to us absolutely critical”, the Secretary of State for Social Security, Gabriel Bastos, told Lusa in Dili.
Timor-Leste has taken recent steps such as the approval in 2016 of the contributory regime and with complementary legislation in the framework of social benefits, but there are new opportunities to go further, address the issue of the reserve fund, develop basic social security law in Timor-East, which ensures that the system architecture is robust. This is an aspect in which we must continue to work together, ”she pointed out.
Gabriel Bastos was speaking in Dili at the beginning of a visit to Timor-Leste that will allow him to take stock of the status of the support provided so far and of any additional support.
“Timor needs to create strong institutions in this area, so that the development of its mission can be solid, robust and coherent. And Portugal has given it prominence and priorityidentified by the Timorese government, as a need in which it was important to invest”, He explained.
During the visit to Timor-Leste, and in addition to the bilateral contacts with the Timorese authorities, Gabriel Bastos participates in a high-level conference dedicated to the theme “Social Security” and Human Development”, which will take place next Monday and Tuesday.
He will also visit several of the projects supported by Portuguese cooperation, namely the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, in various municipalities of the country, including Manatuto, Lautem, Baucau, Aileu and Dili.
“Strengthen this cooperation and give visibility and, in articulation with the Timor government, listen and maintain a dialogue on the possible challenges and opportunities for the development and deepening of this cooperation, which, has been, is the feedback we have, very positive and appreciated by the authorities and to all the recipients of this cooperation, the citizens of Timor-Leste,” he said.
The signing of the Bilateral Agreement on Social Security is expected next week, “a very important instrument in the regulation and coordination of the two systems” and that allows labor mobility, marking “a reinforcement and strengthening of bilateral relations.”
The two-day event includes, among others, the participation of the president of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) East Timorese, Longuinhos Armando, from Ambassador of Portugal in DiliManuela Bairos and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Solidarity and Social InclusionArmanda Berta dos Santos.
Also participating, among others, are Rui Augusto Gomes, Minister of Finance of Timor-Leste, the former Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Vieira da Silva and José Luís Albuquerque, Director General of the Strategy and Planning Office of the Ministry. of Work, Solidarity and Social Security of Portugal.
The meeting will analyze aspects such as the system frameworka social Security Y Fundamental rights, economy Y Public finances, worked Y Work market.
“It is very important to have this conversation and give visibility to this issue. Here, as in all countries, social protection systems face many challenges. It is to assess the meaning of the existence of a social security system, how it should be developed and calibrated and adjusted to the needs that exist, ”he pointed out.
Gabriel Bastos highlighted the importance of social security systems during the Covid-19 pandemic, referring in particular to the fact that in Timor-Leste the measures have made it possible to formalize and integrate many companies and workers into the system.
“We know well that it is one of the challenges of our countries, here with greater intensity, because we know that this informality has a very large expression”, in Timor-Leste, he said.
“The great challenge we have is to generate trust in the different economic agents and in people, showing that it is worth it, that there is a counterpart to contribute. Because that is what is going to give solidity to the system, the adherence of the people, more awareness of what social security is and the importance of being within the system“Especially in difficult times, he said.
Timor-Leste in particular, with a predominantly young population, has “enormous development potential”, mainly through the qualification of its human resources “through job creation and training policies that help sustain an economic model that works,” he said.
“This is what creates employment, what creates wealth and that must be complemented with social policies that guarantee the safeguarding of people’s rights and the social support that must exist,” he said.
“Social security and social protection are not an expense. They are an investment because it is essential for the replacement of income. It is a very important stabilization mechanism for the economy,” he said.
Source: Observadora
