Fokupers Executive Director, Sra. Domingas Afonso Amaral, and PRADET Director Mr. Manuel dos Santos, closed the referral coordination meeting between Fokupers, PRADET and SEFOPE. Photo:Fokupers Lens
Baucau, 15 May 2026: Fokupers in partnership with The Asia Foundation (TAF) and the Pacific Labor Mobility Support Program (PLMSP), in coordination with the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE), implemented a pilot program on the Social Mobility Support Program for Workers to provide specialized counseling services to Timorese workers in Australia and their families. Timor-Leste.
The objective of this program is to strengthen the psychosocial well-being of workers and families through counseling services with human rights-based approaches in online and face-to-face modalities. This program will provide a safe space and physical and mental support (social support) PALM workers who go to work abroad, and also support their families here in Timor. We all know that working abroad is not only about money, but also how we protect our workers from issues such as stress, safety, isolation, and prevent Gender Based Violence (GBV). The Social Support Program Mobility for Workers pilot runs for 6 months and most likely will continue after July.
As part of the implementation of this program, Fokupers, Pradet, and SEFOPE (Baucau, Viqueque, Manatuto and Lospalos) held a referral coordination meeting at Pradet Hall Baucau. This meeting discussed coordination and referral mechanisms in cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV), as well as how to provide safe, prompt, and appropriate counseling support to Timorese workers in Australia and their families in Timor-Leste.
This activity is also an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between SEFOPE and referral networks such as Fokupers and Pradet, so that survivors of violence can have more effective access to counseling and psychosocial support services.
Through strong coordination between the Government and civil society organizations, it is hoped that Timorese workers and their families will be better protected, particularly when facing various social challenges and the risk of gender-based violence.
Fokupers expresses its appreciation and gratitude to The Asia Foundation (TAF) for its support, which made this activity a success and an important first step to strengthen the support system for Timorese workers and their families
