PORTUGAL: INCREASE IN JOB SUPPLY MEANS MORE IMMIGRANT WORKERS NEEDED

According to the Portuguese Ministry of Labour and Solidarity, there is more job supply than demand in Portugal, meaning that to fill all the requirements, the Portuguese authorities will have to continue their policy of admitting immigrant workers. Figures issued recently show that 43% of new immigrants are from former CIS countries and from January of this year, the Portuguese immigration services have been involved in a process to legalise these workers, guaranteeing them the same rights as all other citizens. “There are conditions to create 50,000 work-posts in 2001”, according to the Institute of Work and Professional Training, which agrees with the Labour Ministry’s statement. The main requirements are in the area of manual labour for construction sites – Portugal is preparing to host the 2004 European Football Championship and needs to build new stadiums. Domestic service is not difficult to find for women. After cost of living expenses, an immigrant worker normally manages to save 400 USD per month in Portugal.

TIMOTHY BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.RU LISBON