Translated from NOS.nl Dutch news <https://nos.nl/l/2545140>

Spain will grant residence permits to nearly a million illegal migrants over the next three years, Spanish Immigration Minister Saiz announced. This amounts to 300,000 people per year in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

The measure is intended to increase the working population. The Spanish economy is the fastest in the European Union. But the population is ageing, which means that there are major staff shortages in many sectors.

“Spain can be an open, prosperous country or a closed, poor country. We have chosen the former,” says Saiz.

With the decision to choose the left-wing government coalition in Spain for a completely different policy and many other European examples. For example, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands are also striving for a stronger immigration policy.

Welfare state
Between January 1 and September 1 of this year, 42,000 asylum seekers arrived in Spain, comparable to the recent number of the Ministry of the Interior. Most asylum seekers complete the dangerous crossing to the Canary Islands from the uncertainties of Africa.

Not all migrants come from African countries. A large proportion of asylum seekers come from Venezuela and Colombia.

According to the minister, Spain needs around 250,000 to 300,000 foreign workers per year who pay taxes, in order to keep the welfare state afloat. The Spanish central bank calculated that a total of 25 million immigrants will be needed over the next thirty years.

Procedures simplified
The reform also simplifies the procedures for living and working in Spain. Anyone who comes to the country with a special visa to find a job will immediately be given a year to do so instead of three months. Foreign students are immediately allowed to work up to 30 hours a week with their visa in addition to their studies.

In recent years, relatively many highly educated migrants from South American countries have come to Spain legally to work.

𝗚𝗔𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗔 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗛, 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝘀 𝗝𝗿. 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆

MANILA, Philippines – The national alliance GABRIELA welcomes reports of possible transfer of Mary Jane Veloso from Indonesia to the Philippines as a positive development in the 14-year struggle for justice for the Filipino trafficking victim. The women’s group demands Marcos Jr. to pursue all diplomatic channels to secure her transfer and ultimately grant her clemency upon return to Philippine soil.

“Matagal nang ipinaglalaban ng mga kababaihan at mga migranteng Pilipino ang kalayaan ni Mary Jane. Ang posibilidad ng kanyang paglipat sa Pilipinas ay bunga ng patuloy na pakikibaka ng mamamayang Pilipino,” said Clarice Palce, Secretary General of GABRIELA.

The case of Mary Jane Veloso starkly illustrates the plight of countless Filipino women forced to seek work abroad due to the lack of decent and regular jobs in the country. Like many others, she fell victim to human trafficking syndicates that prey on desperate women from impoverished communities.

“Mary Jane is not a criminal – she is a victim of human trafficking and the government’s labor export policy that pushes our women to take desperate measures to support their families,” Palce emphasized.

GABRIELA maintains that Mary Jane deserves clemency on humanitarian grounds, given her status as a trafficking victim and the absence of death penalty in the Philippines. We demand Marcos Jr. to secure her transfer through available legal mechanisms and ultimately granting her freedom to reunite with her family.

“The Filipino people have not forgotten Mary Jane. Her case represents the continuing struggle of Filipino women against trafficking, poverty, and injustice. Now is the time for concrete action to bring her home,” Palce concluded.

GABRIELA call on all women’s organizations and advocates to remain vigilant and continue the campaign for Mary Jane’s freedom. The fight for justice continues until she is finally reunited with her loved ones. ###