Manifesto demands social and labour integration of immigrants in Spain

On the initiative of the CC.OO and UGT trade union confederations, some 20 unions, non-governmental organisations and immigrant associations have signed a manifesto, delivered to the Ministry of Labour in October 1997, requesting the rapid and effective processing of residence and work permits for immigrants in order to favour social and labour integration.

CC.OO and UGT, the two major Spanish trade union confederations, have drawn up a manifesto in protest at the administrative blocking of procedures involving residence and work permits for immigrants. Some 20 trade unions, non-governmental organisations (NGO s) and immigrant associations have signed this manifesto, which was delivered on 8 October to the Ministry of Labour, coinciding with a demonstration by the signatories.

The level of immigration in Spain is still lower than in other European countries. However, both UGT and CC.OO have made the defence of the rights of immigrant workers one of their principal campaign activities, advocating equal policies for foreign and Spanish workers on the basis of solidarity and the fight against inequality, discrimination and racism. Both organisations have created special "welfare" centres for immigrants: CC.OO'sInformation Centres for Foreign Workers and UGT's Guidance Centres for Immigrants and Refugees. Besides focusing attention directly on foreign workers themselves, the unions have also developed awareness campaigns against exploitation and the illegal status of many immigrant workers.

The manifesto falls within the following context. Administrative obstacles are one more problem in becoming integrated into society and employment that must be faced by immigrants. In early 1997, the Government decided to legalise the situation of 15,000 immigrants but so far only 3,500 have obtained residence and work permits. The slowness of the processing of residence and work permits prolongs the illegal situation of immigrants and favours their discrimination in society and at work. At times the administrative obstacles become a vicious circle: without a residence and work permit it is difficult to obtain an employment contract (and a respectable job); but without an employment contract it is also more difficult to obtain a residence and work permit.

The manifesto demands the commitment and coordination of all the competent administrations in this field to deal with the 11,500 residence and work permits that are still pending, within a period of one month. The signatories also consider it necessary to facilitate the renewal of permits and the granting of long-term permits in order to promote greater stability. Finally, the manifesto mentions the need to increase the number of permits, which cover nowhere near the whole immigrant population. The consensus created by this manifesto, which was signed by a wide range of trade unions, NGOs and immigrant associations, shows the importance that this problem is beginning to acquire.