Balearics: 13,000 migrants join social security

More than 13,000 migrants who applied for regularisation in the Balearics are now registered with social security, giving them a route into legal work and recognised employment rights. Pilar Cancela, the Secretary of State for Migration, gave the figure on Thursday during a visit to the Labour Foundation for Construction in Palma, Mallorca. They make up 38.2% of the 34,000 people who applied for the exceptional process to put their administrative status in order.

Cancela said those whose cases had been regularised had moved out of legal uncertainty. She expects the process to be completed in the coming months.

Training and construction jobs

Once their status has been processed, people can choose training or enter the jobs market, Cancela said. She stressed that training is needed in either case.

Construction is one of the sectors looking hardest for workers, she said, as public authorities have made housing a priority. More people must enter the labour market to build those homes.

The Labour Foundation for Construction runs courses lasting 30 to 60 hours. They include language support and training for sought-after work including bricklaying, painting and operating machinery.

Tourism also feels the change

Rosario Sánchez, the Secretary of State for Tourism, said the scheme had allowed people already living in Spain — often in precarious circumstances — to work legally, pay into social security and have their employment rights recognised.

She said its effects were already being felt in key Balearic industries, including tourism and construction. The process brings jobs previously hidden in the informal economy into view and moves the labour market towards greater rights and safeguards.

Topics: Migration · Jobs & labour · Tourism · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com