The main employment sectors in the Balearics, all of which have traditionally employed foreign workers, support the Spanish Government's proposed mass regularisation of the status of immigrants. They voice their support against a background of chronic labour shortages and believe this regularisation will help to alleviate what has been a significant problem with recruitment over recent years.
These sectors are hospitality, transport, agriculture and construction. The president of the builders association, Climent Olives, acknowledging that details have yet to be announced, nevertheless views the measure as "positive". "People who are already here will be able to become part of the labour market and be hired with all rights and obligations.
"For a sector like construction, with a serious labour shortage, this is good news and can provide greater stability to the workforce. We have always called for easier regularisation based on established residency for workers and we want there to be regulated, controlled, and orderly immigration."
Joan Company of the Asaja association of agricultural businesses stresses that farmers want immigrant workers to have all their paperwork in order and so not fuel the underground economy. "And above all, there is a shortage of workers in the sector. Regardless of the politics, this would be positive for the sector."
The transport federation in the Balearics believes it would be positive, noting that the hiring of foreign workers in their countries of origin is an avenue it has already begun to explore. Drivers and mechanics are being recruited from Morocco, Colombia and Peru.
The Mallorca Hoteliers Federation has stated its support for a measure to integrate part of a workforce that is already in Mallorca into the labour system, while the Pimem restaurants association feels it will help alleviate the labour shortage. The association's president, César Amable, highlights the issue of training, the lack of which contributes to staffing problems. "You can learn to carry a tray in four days, but we always look for people trained in the kitchen." The builders association explains that the Construction Labour Foundation will be available to provide formal training.
There is also a potentially a question of language. In this regard, the Balearic Government, which in any event flatly rejects the Sánchez administration's proposals, insists that anyone wishing to regularise their status would have to know the identity and values of the islands, including Catalan.