Migration in Timor-Leste: A Country Profile 2019

Migration is not a new phenomenon for Timor-Leste. The country experienced migration in the past, particularly in 1975 and 1999 when thousands of Timorese were displaced and/or emigrated to mainly Portugal and Australia. During the unrest in the wake of the 1999 referendum for independence, many residents of Timor-Leste fled to neighbouring Indonesia. Timor-Leste is both a sender and recipient of migrant workers, and the Government of Timor-Leste recognizes the need to have solid policies to protect them, both within Timor-Leste and abroad.

Timor-Leste’s first Migration Profile explores key issues and potential future priorities for the Government including, but not limited to: labour migration (mainly emigration and also in terms of attracting skilled migrant workers to Timor-Leste to fill skills gaps and transfer skills and knowledge to the domestic labour force); brain drain (loss of skilled Timorese workers who emigrate); diaspora engagement and economic development (including facilitating improved channels for transfer of remittances and ensuring financial inclusion of migrants); counter-trafficking in persons through regional and domestic coordination; and assistance to Timorese nationals abroad (including consular protection, migrant worker rights, diaspora social protection and cooperation with foreign counterparts).