Elma Saiz, celebra el Día Internacional del Migrante con un emotivo encuentro con personas mayores migrantes

On the occasion of International Migrants Day, the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, has held today a meeting with elderly migrants to make visible and recognize their important contribution to Spanish society. This event is part of a series of initiatives promoted by the Ministry to commemorate this date, proclaimed by the United Nations to pay tribute to the fundamental role of migrants in global progress.

Minister Saiz has described the meeting as "emotional" and has had the opportunity to talk with older migrant men and women whose stories reflect the effort, dedication and overcoming of those who, in their day, decided to embark on the difficult path of migration in search of new opportunities. These people, who came to Spain in the hope of a better future, have been key elements in the economic, social and cultural development of the country.
A tribute to the stories of overcoming

The day has valued the vital experiences of these people, from their integration process to their present, some and some as pensioners, in a country that today they feel as their own. In the dialogue with representatives of 14 associations of older immigrants, they explained the difficulties of the migratory process and the importance of recognizing the contribution of these people to Spanish society.

In the Ministry of Inclusion, we have heard today stories of overcoming those who chose Spain as a place of life. This is the case of Dora, a Bolivian woman over 70, who arrived in Spain at the age of 23 and changed her profession as a teacher to work as a domestic worker: “In Spain I’ve done well, now I’m autonomous and I have a restaurant where I keep working and contributing”.

Rosario, a Latin American woman, thanked the minister for creating a space in which to recognize the contribution of migration, “some migrants have grown up in Spain and we share the agenda of the elderly. We have the stigmatisation for being women and migrants.”

“Morocco is my father, and Spain is my mother. Nothing beats the affection for a mother,” said Mohamed, a Moroccan who already feels Spanish and has asked politicians not to instrumentalize immigration.  

The minister highlighted the value of the event held today at the Ministry of Inclusion, “racism and xenophobia are fought with empathy and listening, and today these people have given us a lesson in life that more than one would like to hear. I thank you for your dedication and your generosity in coming here today.”

This meeting is part of the activities organized by the Ministry of Inclusion to commemorate the International Migrants Day. In addition to this quote, the publication of the monthly report of the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE) has been highlighted, which reveals that 30% of hate speeches on social networks during the month of November were aimed at migrants, highlighting the importance of continuing to fight racism and xenophobia.

The reality beyond the figures

Currently, Spain hosts 7.5 million foreign people (according to the latest data from the INE), of which about 654,000 are over 65 years old; more than half are women, in particular, 56%. These largest migrants, 7% of the foreign population in the country, represent an essential part of Spanish society. However, beyond the figures, this meeting has highlighted the human and social value of each of these people.

A relevant fact is that more than 2,300 people over 60 years of age are in the International and Temporary Protection Reception System, particularly from countries such as Ukraine, Venezuela and Colombia. In this case, they are very vulnerable people, refugees who flee their countries due to different circumstances that endanger their own lives.

In the field of Social Security, around 150,000 foreign people receive pensions, as a result of their contribution to the system during their working life in Spain. This underlines the valuable contribution of migrants to the sustainability of the pension system and the economy in general.

On the other hand, according to the latest Social Security statistics, in Spain there are 2.9 million workers of more than 900 nationalities who live, work and contribute in our country. These are migrants who have chosen our country to develop their professional careers and/or who have opted for Spain to live.

Exhibition "Fleeing from Poverty"

On the occasion of this celebration, the Ministry has also inaugurated the exhibition "Fleeing from poverty. The Spanish seasonal workers in Europe", which recalls the history of Spanish migration in the past, when our ancestors emigrated in search of better living conditions in countries such as Sweden, Switzerland or France. The exhibition, which can be visited at the headquarters of the Ministry, gathers testimonies from people who participated in the labour migratory movements of Europe during the 20th century.

The minister recalled that Spain was a country of emigrants and that it is something that must be part of the memory of a democratic country “many people sought a future and a present, a dignified life for their families. In 2025, it is 50 years of freedom and a democratic country must have memory.”

Commitment of the Ministry of Inclusion

The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration remains committed to the inclusion and integration of migrants, promoting initiatives that visibilize their positive impact on our society and working to guarantee their rights and well-being.

This International Migrants Day, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to migrants, recognizing their effort, dedication and their fundamental role in building a more diverse, supportive and inclusive society.