Global Policy Forum

By Jon Lamb

On March 18, East Timorese dock worker Pedro Henrique was crushed to death by a container at Dili wharf, while working for Darwin-based Perkins Shipping.

Union officials in East Timor and Darwin claim that Henrique was fatally injured due to poor work practices.

According to the March 19 Northern Territory News, East Timorese union official Jose da Costa said that Henrique had been working a 19-hour shift before he was killed. Perkins representatives claimed that Henrique had only worked for 9.5 hours and that appropriate shift breaks were enforced.

Northern Territory Labour Council spokesperson Didge McDonald backed da Costa's claim. He told ABC Radio that union officials have attempted to restrict work hours in accordance with East Timor's labour laws, which specify that a normal working day is eight hours, with a maximum of four hours' overtime.

"We would hope that this practice would stop immediately and [workers] wouldn't be required to work outrageous hours... and that the 12-hour maximum would be adhered to - I don't think that's a big ask", McDonald said.

McDonald, who has worked in East Timor with local union activists, added that "... the Australian companies operating in East Timor take advantage of [the situation] and stretch the point to their own advantage and get away with what they can."