El Gobierno impulsa un programa piloto de migración circular con Egipto para fortalecer las relaciones bilaterales

The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Affairs Abroad of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on circular migration that will boost the relationship between the two countries. The Memorandum of Understanding will initially apply for a period of one year, although it may be extended for a further year.

“This memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation so that our countries, united by so many ties, strengthen their ties through an issue of common interest: the selection of candidates at source for circular migration programs,” explained Minister Elma Saiz. “This memorandum of understanding not only facilitates labor mobility, but also strengthens our ties of friendship and collaboration, promoting safe migration that is exquisitely respectful of workers’ rights.”

The signing of this memorandum is in the context of the meeting that the president of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has had with the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, in which is the second official visit of the Egyptian president. The bilateral relationship between Spain and Egypt has been strengthened in recent times. A good example of this is that the President of the Government has visited Egypt on up to four occasions in recent years.

The main objective of the meeting between the leaders is to raise to Strategic Partnership the relationship between Spain and Egypt, the highest level of bilateral relationship that Spain can maintain with another country. In addition to the Memorandum signed with the Ministry of Inclusion, a Joint Declaration has been adopted, as well as a declaration on regional issues, and several Memoranda of Understanding on economic cooperation.

Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Migration

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Migration that has been signed is to establish a framework for cooperation to address issues of common interest and concern in the field of migration. It proposes the implementation of worker selection programmes in their countries of origin for fixed-term work. Once these jobs are completed, the displaced persons to Spain return to their communities.

“Circular migration programs are a gain for all parties involved. They are an extraordinary example of our migration policies: we provide the workforce we need, we protect workers’ rights, and we also facilitate the return of these people to their countries of origin, with the benefits that this can also bring in the development of their communities,” explained Minister Elma Saiz.

Thanks to the reform of the Regulation on Foreigners, the procedures for circular migration in which this type of programme is included have been simplified. They can grant people, through a discontinuous fixed contract, an authorization of up to four years’ duration, which enables them to work a maximum of 9 months a year. Before the reform, these projects had to be processed year by year, and right now it is done once every four, significantly reducing all administrative burdens for companies and for people who migrate.

Other collaborations

As a whole, Spain has signed agreements on the regulation and management of migratory flows with Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Mauritania, Morocco, and Ukraine, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Mexico, El Salvador, Paraguay, Argentina, and the Philippines. List to which Egypt is added.

The sectors of activity in which these programs are worked are mostly the agricultural sector, although other sectors such as services, commerce, construction, hospitality, food industry and other industries are also being incorporated. These programs are channeled annually through the GECCO Order for the hiring of foreign people at origin and circular migration programs.

In total, in the year 2024 more than 20,500 workers have come. Most of them belong to the province of Huelva in the agricultural sector from Morocco, Colombia, Honduras and Ecuador. The vast majority are women.