JRS Dispatches No. 63: East Timor : Law and order called for
A lack of law and order has been causing
concern in East Timor, JRS reports. Dili and Los Palos have reported street
fighting among youth gangs roaming the streets. Residents complain that
there is no police presence to prevent crime and Civpol, due to take over
UN security operations soon, says it is under-resourced to fight increasing
crime in the cities. Problems are also arising due to a lack of labour
regulations. JRS worker, Bryan Pipins, said East Timor currently has no
labour laws and each NGO is working on an ad hoc basis. During the past
week, two demonstrations were held to protest the wages and work conditions
of East Timorese workers. Demonstrators claimed that the UN and other NGOs
working in East Timor do not award East Timorese workers managerial positions
and that they do not have any voice in decision-making.