Spain Announces Ambitious Plan to Regularize Undocumented Migrants, Addressing Labor Shortages

Spain has recently presented new immigration policy plan, according to which about 300 thousand heads of illegal migrants are to be legalized every year within the following three years. Migration Minister Elma Saiz has presented a new program for foreign workers which is an open plan to meet the economic situation and employment market. It can be observed when Spain aims at social integration and development in offering additional rights and eradicating bureaucratic barriers to migrants.

Labor Market Transformation

New immigration measures represent a new chapter in the Spanish migration policy, provide legal status for hundreds of thousands of irregular immigrants. The government understands the paramount importance of the foreign workers count estimating that 250000-300000 workers per year are needed to sustain the welfare state. The reform is unique in that it gives migrants the unique opportunity of registering both as self-employed and as employees thereby granting them flexibility and access to the economic market never seen before.

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Centrality in Economic and Social Integration

Contrary to many other European countries, the Spain’s leftist minority coalition government has taken a relatively liberal attitude towards migration process. Minister Saiz reiterated the national trend of being an open and prosperous or a closed and a poor country for Spain and to ensure Spain is an open country for everyone. Work and residency permits are also reformed to enhance an efficient contribution to the Spanish economy and society, such reform also entails the improvement of other labor rights.