A Research on Temporary Circular Labor Migration from Ecuador to Spain

• Main Authors: Ana Maria, 安娜
• Other Authors: Dr. Nathan K. H. LIU
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/79893686848047035635

碩士 === 銘傳大學 === 國際事務研究所碩士班 === 99 === ABSTRACT In 2001, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Interior of Spain launched a four-year program called GRECO (Global Program for Regulating and Coordinating Emigration and Immigration), which aimed to resolve immigration management. This initiative marked the first time in which Spain considered implementing temporary circular labor migration as a way to promote legal immigration and with the agreement’s signing between Ecuador and Spain on May 29, 2001, its policies were legally put into effect. Due to limited information, a limited number of Ecuadorian temporary circular workers in Spain and insufficient previous studies, this research uses a qualitative approach to describe temporary circular labor migration from Ecuador to Spain. Interviews to authorities who are directly involved in the application of the bilateral agreement between Ecuador and Spain were conducted and their outcome was compared with statistical data in order to obtain significant results. By analyzing this research topic, a series of facts have revealed the small participation of this agreement in the immigration management between these two countries. For example, according to the Ministry of Labor and Immigration of Spain (MOLI), from 2006 to 2007, due to of the agreement’s implementation, 4,682 temporary residence permits were granted to Ecuadorians; however, during the same period of time MOLI granted to Ecuadorians the total number of 439,725 temporary residence permits. This study has determined that the limited Spanish labor offers received by the Migrant Workers Union; other bilateral agreements signed between Spain and African, European and other Latin countries; and the lack of agreements between Ecuador and Spanish agrarian unions were the obstacles preventing the agreement from realizing its original vision. Finally, it must be noted that beginning in 2008, immigration from Ecuador to Spain began decreasing as a result not of the agreement’s policies, but due to the downturn of the Spanish economy. Keywords: Temporary circular labor migration, bilateral agreement.