The ILO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia through its Directorate General for the Development of Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), conducted a technical training for the General Labour Inspectorate (IGT) of Timor-Leste. Held in Dili from 9-11 July, the training brought together 30 labour inspectors from across the country.
The training responded to a recent milestone in Timor-Leste's labour policy landscape: the enactment of Law No. 11/2023 on Safety, Health and Hygiene at the Workplace-the country's first comprehensive OSH law. As the designated enforcement agency, IGT plays a central role in ensuring workplace compliance with the law, which mandates preventive measures to reduce risks from dust, noise, poor lighting, and extreme temperatures.
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Facilitated by experienced OSH experts from the Ministry of Manpower and the Indonesian Forum for Occupational Environment Testing Association (PJK3), the training marked a strong example of regional cooperation between the ILO and the two ILO Member States.
We hope that our fellow OSH inspectors in Timor-Leste gain valuable insights and can enrich the way they do their inspection in the future.
Waluyo, PG Dip Sc (OSH), M.Sc from OSH Centre of the Ministry of Manpower
Over the course of three days, the training aimed to build inspectors' technical capacity to conduct data-driven inspections, identify workplace hazards and support the enforcement of Timor-Leste's new national OSH legal framework. It also focused on strengthening participants' ability to operate and interpret OSH measurement tools and to apply their findings to real-world inspection scenarios.
To support the future development of Timor-Leste's technical regulations on OSH measurement, the training featured a knowledge-sharing session on Indonesia's standards and practices as practical reference points. "We are pleased to be able to share our experiences from OSH inspections across various sectors in Indonesia. We hope that our fellow OSH inspectors in Timor-Leste gain valuable insights and can enrich the way they do their inspection in the future," stated one of the facilitators, Waluyo, PG Dip Sc (OSH), M.Sc from OSH Centre of the Ministry of Manpower.
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A field visit was also organized to a concrete block manufacturing facility, where participants practiced using measurement tools to assess dust concentration, noise levels, lighting and thermal conditions. "This practical experience helps us link theoretical knowledge with real workplace challenges," stated one of the participating inspectors.
Lita Octavia, ILO National Programme Officer, emphasized the need for OSH capacity-building for labour inspectors. "It is crucial that labour inspectors are equipped with the technical skills, appropriate tools and solid knowledge to carry out effective, evidence-based and reliable inspections," she said. "In parallel, the ILO encourages Timor-Leste to adopt complementary regulations to support consistent and data-driven enforcement of OSH standards."
This practical experience helps us link theoretical knowledge with real workplace challenges.
One of the participating inspectors
