In Timor-Leste, many private-sector workers face insecure employment, unpaid wages, limited access to social security, unsafe workplaces and weak awareness of labour rights. For workers in hospitality, retail, services and industry, joining through a union can be one of the few practical ways to seek fair treatment.
With support from Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA, Sindikatu Jeral Traballadores Timor-Leste (SJTTL), also known as the General Workers Union of Timor-Leste is strengthening workers’ ability to organise, resolve disputes and negotiate collectively with employers.
Growing membership and workplace leadership
SJTTL, Timor-Leste’s largest sectoral union established in 2008, has been working to expand their membership, develop workplace delegates, educate workers about labour law and social security, and build stronger systems for collective bargaining and complaints handling. This also supports the union’s long-term financial sustainability by increasing membership contributions and developing payroll check-off systems in a country where organisers generally go workplace-to-workplace every month to manually collect dues.
Workers are also using the union to address serious rights violations. SJTTL has supported cases involving unpaid wages, unfair termination, lack of contracts, denied leave, unpaid overtime, unsafe conditions, discrimination and inadequate workplace facilities. The union registered 68 labour disputes between January and June 2026.
The results are encouraging. Over the past 12 months, SJTTL recruited 874 new members across commerce, hospitality and industry in five municipalities. SJTTL has also established workplace delegates in 60 enterprises – 53 in the capital, Dili, and 7 in the exclave of Oecusse. Delegates give workers a trusted point of contact at work and help resolve problems before they escalate. The union reports that 24 delegates can now resolve workplace issues independently, while 80% of minor grievances are resolved through bipartite negotiation at the first stage.
Turning organising into bargaining power
Collective bargaining is another major focus. Although a relatively new concept to Timor-Leste, SJTTL is currently engaging employers on proposed collective agreements at 4 businesses. Following an organising visit, all staff at a popular café in Dili joined the union, with the agreement ready to progress once the employer returns from overseas.
“The power of the union is not only in Dili,” SJTTL reported. “Opportunities for collective bargaining will be stronger when members in municipalities also receive information, labour education, and feel directly involved in union decisions.”
SJTTL’s organising approach is practical and relationship-based. Organisers meet employers first to discuss legal obligations such as employment contracts, social security contributions, annual bonuses and working conditions. This helps employers understand their responsibilities and positions the union as a constructive partner in improving compliance.
Women’s leadership and safer workplaces
SJTTL has a focus on ensuring that women workers are not left behind. Four women were elected into union leadership positions at their last congress, and SJTTL has established a Women’s Committee. Their work promotes women’s labour rights, including equal pay, maternity protection and freedom from discrimination and harassment. SJT-TL and other Timorese unions have been leading a high-profile campaign to raise public awareness of the importance of ratifying ILO Convention 190 to end workplace exploitation, abuse and harassment – issues that disproportionately impact women workers.
SJTTL’s progress shows how worker education, workplace organisation and collective action can shift power. As one organiser reflected, when workers see the union winning improvements, they become proud to be members and more workers want to join.