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UN mission in East Timor reports agreement on new draft labour law

UN mission in East Timor reports agreement on new draft labour law

Three days of consultations between the East Timor Transitional Administration, employers, workers and members of civic society have yielded an agreement on a draft labour code, UNTAET, the UN Transitional Administration in the territory, said today in Dili.

The code, comprising four proposed regulations, will cover termination of employment, administration, minimum wage fixing, labour relations, vocational traineeship, and occupational safety and health.

"Ten demands have been raised by East Timorese labour and political leaders and most of them have been incorporated in the draft regulations, which will now be handed over to UNTAET's Office for the Principal Legal Adviser," UNTAET said in a statement.

It is expected that the final draft will be forwarded to the East Timor Transitional Cabinet by the middle of next month. If endorsed, the regulations will then be referred to the National Council for its consideration.

The first round of consultations between the Division of Labour and Social Services, employers and workers was held in January. Over 100 people from various East Timorese civic groups have been consulted on the matter, UNTAET said.