INETL, I.P – SEFOPE held a meeting of the Labor Force Survey Steering Committee (LFS)

INETL, I.P – SEFOPE held a meeting of the Labor Force Survey Steering Committee (LFS) Díli – Wednesday, 15 July 2026 – The National Institute of Statistics of Timor-Leste, Public Institute (INETL, I.P), together with the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE) and partners from ministerial lines, universities, banks, public and private institutes, as well as representatives of the Working Committee (Steering Committee), met to discuss and evaluate the progress of the questionnaire prepared by the technicians for the Labor Force Survey (LFS). The meeting began with opening remarks and expressions of appreciation by the President of INETL, I.P, Mr. Elias dos Santos Ferreira, who thanked the collaboration between INETL and SEFOPE, which has established a secretariat to oversee the technical services, especially regarding the questionnaire. On this occasion, the President of INETL, I.P, Mr. Elias dos Santos Ferreira, stated that the objective of this meeting is to inform attendees about the progress, planning, and implementation of the survey, particularly the presentation of the questionnaire. He noted that attendees had received the questionnaire, which is in accordance with international standards, but also addresses needs related to the government, especially SEFOPE. He added that it is necessary to include questions that enable analysis and focus more on the workforce. During the discussion, it was presented that the questionnaire for the Labor Force Survey is based on international standards, but also adapted to governmental needs, particularly SEFOPE’s concerns and focus on the labor force. The questionnaire contains 19 modules that also include questions about Timorese citizens working in Korea, Australia, and other countries, added Mr. Ferreira. The President of INETL informed that the technical team for Labor Force Research from INETL, I.P. and SEFOPE will travel to Maliana municipality for five days to harmonize the LFS questionnaire, manual (guide), and translate it from English to Tetun. After this process, the documents will be submitted to the committee for approval before moving on to the pilot survey, recruitment, training, and research execution. This research is also very important for responding to the indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and data requested by ASEAN, as Timor-Leste has now become a permanent member of ASEAN. Mr. Ferreira noted that the sources of funding for the Labor Force Survey come from the Government of Timor-Leste through the Ministry of Finance and INETL, I.P, while the ILO provides technical assistance. Through this research, it is hoped that the results obtained will contribute to the welfare of the people and the development of the country. The Executive Director General of SENE SEFOPE, Mr. Paulo Alves, in his intervention also said that the Labor Force Survey is very important for the country to obtain accurate data on the number of unemployed, the informal sector, and people who have entered the workforce. He also recalled that SEFOPE and INETL, I.P. first worked together to conduct the Labor Force Survey (LFS), in 2010, 2013, and finally in 2021, and are now continuing with this new survey. This activity was attended by representatives from SEFOPE, INAP, IPTL, MCI, UNPAZ, João Saldanha University, ANAAA, I.P, KSTL, MTA, UCT, EIROS, UNITAL, the Australian Embassy, INSS, BCTL, BNCTL, MESCG, IPDC, DNEE, ISC, Trade-Invest, AMD, and BNU.