Spain’s PM Sanchez Promotes Migration Amid European Border Tightening

Last updated on October 10th, 2024 at 09:02 am

The Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez announced measures on Wednesday to make it easier for the migrants to get settled in Spain. He promoted migration and its economic benefits as the other European governments have tightened their borders for the migrants. 

To stop the undocumented migrants Germany, Slovakia and Hungary have reintroduced temporary border controls in the European Union’s Schengen open travel zone. Italy aims to set up detention camps in non European Albania for migrants picked up at sea.

“Immigration is not just a question of humanitarianism, it’s also necessary for the prosperity of our economy and the sustainability of the welfare state.The key is in managing it well.” The PM said in a speech to the parliament. He also added that Spain is working on making it easier for migrants to come. He pointed to a series of initiatives including recognising academic qualifications for temporary workers, simplifying contracts as part of a new labour migration programme and reducing red tape for residency applications. 

Among all the European countries Spain is the fastest growing economy, half boosted by the skilled immigrants from Latin America who reduced labour shortages in sectors such as technology and hospitality. Low-skilled migrants also helped the economy. without them the sectors such as construction, agriculture and hospitality would have collapsed, Sanchez added.

Ahead of the summit next week, the 17 European member states called the European commission to discuss returning irregular migrants to their home countries. 

Only 6% of migrants enter Spain illegally as most of them arrive by sea from West Africa via the Canary Islands, said Sanchez. Around 30,808 migrants arrived in the Canaries by sea on fishing boats in the first nine months of 2024. According to Interior Ministry data last year around the same time it was double the number.

Sanchez said, “There is no more inhumane migration policy than the one that does not exist. Every boat that leaves for Spain, endangering lives, is a failure of your government.”