Portugal's Immigration Agency Faces Crisis: PCP Proposes 10,000 Temporary Workers
Communist Party proposes a six-month emergency program to address a backlog of 400,000 immigration applications.
The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) has proposed an emergency plan to address the overwhelming backlog of 400,000 immigration applications at the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA). The plan calls for the temporary hiring of 10,000 workers for a period of six months, from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
The PCP argues that the current situation is “calamitous” for immigrants living and working in Portugal, with many facing delays in processing their applications. The party believes that the existing 700 AIMA employees are insufficient to manage the backlog and that the proposed temporary workers are necessary to address the crisis.
“We either do nothing, which is what the government seems prepared to do, or we move forward with this extraordinary proposal," said PCP deputy António Filipe. "The current 700 employees are not enough.”
The PCP's proposal includes providing training for the temporary workers, for which the AIMA would need to secure adequate facilities and logistics. The party claims that the plan is comparable to the emergency measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's not about calculations, it's about seeing what seems reasonable," Filipe said, justifying the number of temporary workers. "It's not a decision made with a ruler and compass. We could have said 15,000 or 20,000, but we went with 10,000. It's a reasonable number."
While acknowledging the temporary nature of the proposed employment, Filipe stated, “It's either this or we don't solve this problem. What disturbs me is having 400,000 people in the situation they are in, without their problems solved.”
The PCP proposes that the temporary workers would be given priority for permanent positions in the public service after the program ends, provided they meet the necessary qualifications.
The proposed plan highlights the significant challenges facing Portugal's immigration system, particularly in terms of processing applications and integrating immigrants. While the PCP's proposal provides a potential solution to the immediate crisis, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to this proposal and address the long-term needs of Portugal's immigration system.
Actionable Insights:
For remote workers: This news highlights the potential delays and difficulties in obtaining residency in Portugal. It's crucial to stay informed about the situation and plan accordingly, allowing enough time for the processing of your application.
For recruiters: The proposed plan could potentially impact recruitment in Portugal, with a larger workforce dedicated to immigration processing.
For small business owners: Understanding the potential challenges and opportunities presented by Portugal's immigration system can help businesses adapt to future changes and manage their workforce effectively.
For expats and immigrants: The proposed plan aims to address the backlog and facilitate immigration processes, offering potential relief for those waiting for their applications to be processed.
Source: Adapted from Diário de Notícias. See the full article for detailed information.