Government capacity for labour administration enhanced.

Good governance of the labour market is essential for the creation of decent work for all and to build paths out of poverty. The availability and dissemination of labour market information is a fundamental element to allow effective and efficient organization of the employment services, promote the smooth functioning of the labour market and stimulate development.

This is the background against which the Timor-Leste Labour Market Information System (LMI) Project was designed. It aims to build the capacity of the SEFOPE to provide IT and Management Information Systems support to the National Directorate of Employment and National Directorate of Vocational Training, and labour market information to the Government of Timor-Leste and other stakeholders as required.

The present initiative builds on the outputs of the LMI Systems Project funded by the Irish Aid since December 2006, of which the assistance was central to establish a Labour Market Information Department within SEFOPE and to create an embryonic national capacity in such a specific and technically demanding area.

Since its inception, the LMI Systems Project has been representing a resources centre that provides crucial support services to other employment creation and skills development initiatives implemented under the organizational framework of the SEFOPE, contributing decisively to the improvement of their outreach and impact. It enables SEFOPE to take informed decisions on the new directions for the Timor-Leste Vocational Training System, on the measures to stimulate closer articulation with employers, to improve job mediation, to promote self-employment, livelihoods and temporary employment, and to establish Career Guidance services. Just taking as reference the period starting from January 2008, the programmes assisted by the LMI Project provided Career Guidance to 13,731 clients (51.9% women and 74.1% youth) of the Employment and Career Guidance Centres (CEOPs), approved 99 community proposals in all the 13 districts of Timor-Leste creating training and self-employment opportunities for 3,469 women (77.6%) and men job and training seekers, and generated 1,827,795 workerdays of employment that provided 58,305 workers (27% women and 48.3% youth) in rural areas with temporary jobs and income.

Despite the remarkable progress achieved, SEFOPE still requires further assistance to overcome some remaining issues such as the need to improve the articulation between information customers and producers, improve the quality of the data, enhance the use of existing sources of LMI and address critical data gaps.

The current 18-months extension of the LMI Project will allow to complete the development and installation of the new SIMU Web (SEFOPE computerized Labour Market Information system) in the 5 Employment and Career Guidance Centres of the districts of Baucau, Bobonaro, Dili, Ermera and Oecusse, and to finalise and release the findings of the first post-independence Timor-Leste Labour Force Survey. Other fundamental labour market information will be also produced and disseminated, while consolidating the capacity of the LMI Department of SEFOPE.

Immediate Objective #1

Produce and disseminate labour market information for sound Labour Market Policy development.

1.1 Two Labour Market department technicians received training on LMI.

1.2 Labour Force Survey (LFS) Results disseminated.

1.3 Labour Market Information Bulletin released on a regular basis.

1.4 SEFOPE LMI Department linkages with other Labour Market sources reinforced.

Immediate Objective #2

SIMU-Web fully developed with reliable internet access in all SEFOPE Employment and Career Guidance Centres (CEOPs)

2.1 SIMU-Web Application developed and deployed in all CEOPs.

2.2 Training Framework for SEFOPE staff developed.

2.3 Hardware and Software Service Support Practices implemented.

2.4 IT HR Capacity Building (national staff).