Spain is currently faced with a major challenge due to the change taking place in migratory flows, challenge in that solidarity and collaboration interterritorial play a key role and that europe is not of others.

Migratory flows into our country are more than offsetting the ageing of the spanish population.

Regular migration, orderly and safe is an opportunity and a source of wealth and not only in economic terms but also social, so that the policy on this matter must go beyond the inalienable human rights, in a manner conducive to a positive impact on our economy through measures to promote the integration of immigrants in the labour market and society.

To this challenge the role of social dialogue is the need to be of great importance to have a shared vision of all social partners.

Spain currently faces a major challenge due to the changing migration flows, a challenge in which solidarity and inter-territorial collaboration play a fundamental role, and to which Europe is no exception.

Incoming migration flows to our country are more than offsetting the aging of the Spanish population.

Regular, orderly, and safe migration is an opportunity and a source of wealth, not only in economic but also social terms. Therefore, policy on this matter must go beyond inalienable human rights, enabling it to positively impact our economy through measures that promote the integration of immigrants into the labor market and society.

In order to achieve this challenge, the role of social dialogue becomes more than necessary, and it is of great importance to have a shared vision among all social partners.

At present Spain is experiencing a historic moment in which there is a clear and obvious change in migratory flows, which puts us as a country faced with a major challenge in which solidarity and cooperation are key interterritorial. But the challenge is not just a challenge of the country, is a global challenge and if you look outward, beyond our borders, it is easy to realize that this is the case.

Migratory flows into our country are more than offsetting the ageing of the spanish population. As well as to strengthen the economy, in the absence of a more-than-desirable significant increase in productivity.

If productivity does not increase, will require many millions more in the coming years. Thus, the projection horizon of 50 years of the INE goes to a population structure: almost a 40 per cent of residents in spain would be born outside our borders, compared to less than 20 % today and just over a 5 % a century ago.

Obviously, this attraction of immigrants, whose easier integration by reason of their origin represents majority for spain a major asset, also entails some collateral implications are not always easy to manage. One example is the added pressure on the housing market.

It is obvious that, unlike in the past in which the various crises were forced to young and not so young people to migrate from our country in search of better opportunities and future, now spain has become a country of arrival of immigrants, and it is essential to good management of migration.

Migration is an opportunity and a source of enrichment and not only in economic terms but also social, so that the policy on this matter must go beyond the inalienable human rights, so as to permit a positive impact on our economy through measures to promote the integration of immigrants in the labour market, in those key sectors and that are in deficit of labour.

To this challenge the role of social dialogue is necessary and have a shared vision of the social partners on this issue, both labour point of view and on the integration of persons of immigrant origin in the spanish society, is of vital importance.

Therefore, the economic and Social council of Spain, an institution which is an institutionalized social dialogue has been considering, for more than 20 years, explicitly, migratory flows through its opinions, reports and annual reports on the socio-labour and of the country and thus for example in 2004 produced a report on immigration and labour market, in parallel to the social dialogue process where the agreement was reflected in the reform of the regulations on immigration, in the year 2009 drafted the opinion on the on the draft bill to reform the Organization Act 4 / 2000 , 11 january, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in spain and their Social integration and 2019 the report drafted 2 / 2019 , on immigration in Spain: effects and opportunities, taking in full all dimensions of migration.

In Spain in recent years there has been rapid growth of the foreign population from less than 2 by 100 in recent years 90 mean 12 by 100 in 2012 with a strong growth in the years the great bubble economy ( 900 . 000 foreigners in the balance of entry 2007 ).

Despite the negative impact of the great recession that followed, where he spent the balance of migration (both by the exit of foreigners and persons of spanish nationality), the weight of the population of immigrant origin has continued to grow and january 2024 the foreign population was close to the 13 by 100 residents in spain, but if you add together the 3 , 2 millions of people with dual nationality, the peso is above the 18 by 100 .

However, if something characterized the current situation is greater mobility and an increase on exit and entry related to globalisation and the search of better opportunities and work.

Therefore at a time when we are facing demographic challenges as longevity which coincides in turn today with other demographic aspects: the decrease in fertility, especially in developed countries, and the gradual arrival in the retirement age for the generations of the baby boom, which in Spain includes those born between 1958 and 1977 the immigration, together with its impact on the labour market are interrelated aspects and of great importance.

These aspects i refer to, without going into other challenges such as those associated with the digitization of the economy have been expressed in recent years. So we should bear in mind that until 2018 - 19 there was the output of indigenous young adults in the wake of the crisis, however the shortage of data on these flows and its possible relationship with the complex global loop of the “ talents ” considerably reduced one has claimed, six years later, more topical, as shown in the competition for that “ talent ”, understood as new posts in new activities that require new skills and competencies, where companies, reflects almost everywhere, difficulties in their coverage.

However, while the loss affects the entire human capital the greatest problems of coverage of posts, by size and for the medium term, are of replenishment, i.e. to cover retirements and similar contingencies in existing posts that will remain, regardless of skills and competencies required for its performance. This is rooted in the ageing of the templates and is also in the background to the problems of coverage for referring companies.

To be migratory flows a global phenomena and transnational nature, responses cannot come exclusively from national solutions, and are therefore a need for more progress towards the adoption of this policy so that the sociolaboral integration, activation, recognition of qualifications and skills development of migrants, as well as better effective development of freedom of movement of workers in the eu, through greater harmonization and lifting of administrative obstacles.

In the report prepared by the economic and Social council, on the governance of the eu 2023 on the occasion of the spanish eu presidency, and as a result of developments pertaining to the war in ukraine and the influx of refugees to europe from various conflicts, as well as on the occasion of the occurrence of xenophobic openly political formations in the european scene, the assessment of progress on this common policy.

In that report concluded that it had designed new instruments, through the pact on migration and asylum policy at european level, submitted 2020 , five dimensions: of integrated border management and fight against the smuggling of migrants; a common framework for the management of migration and asylum; collaboration with the main partner countries of origin and transit for resettlement and attraction of skills and talents; preparedness and response system migration to crises and finally the Plan of Integration and inclusion 2021 - 2024 .

A challenge logistical and coordination that was being again inundated by various acontecimientos. and especially by the persistence of mistrust on european territory, with border controls within the Schengen area and difficulties in judicial and police cooperation

Entering further aspects related to the labour market from a global perspective, it is worth noting that, as discussed above, there is witnessing new migration cycle, where the search of better opportunities remains outcome a most migration plans.

In the case of Spain noted the rapid turnaround of immigration after the fall during the crisis, increased diversity of countries of birth of immigrants and constatándose progress in the presence of women to achieve a very even-handed in the annual data, as well as increased presence of relatively higher. In spain, the average age of new immigrants is situated in the thirty-five years.

The main effect of these flows of recent decades has been the major transformation of the spanish society, which has increased in volume, diversity and cultural richness.

The result is the continued absence and the stock of immigrant population or of immigrant origin. As for their administrative situation, the administrative regularly is today the most frequent among foreigners, unlike at the beginning of the century.

However, in the context of illegal entry in our country, it is relevant to the increasing volume of unaccompanied minors (MENA), having located 12 . 878 MENA in 2023 , 15 . 045 at the end of 2024 (increase of almost 17 %). The protection of unaccompanied foreign minors faces many challenges, which needs to be addressed from the perspective of the best interests of the child, such as standard protocols on the determination of age, the inadequacy of protective services and their unequal distribution of autonomous regions, the difficulties of providing adequate education in these cases and the frequent voluntary withdrawal of the protection services.

With regard to employment, firstly, we must insist on the clear connection in recent years between immigration, employment creation and economic growthin Spain. 2023 more than two thirds of job creation in the year was related to the contribution of the population with immigrant backgrounds ( 49 by 100 to aliens 16 by 100 dual nationality).

Secondly, the study of the employment situation of persons with immigrant background points to a disadvantageous position in the labour market are concentrated in occupations with no qualifications, even beyond what would be a result of their relative lower-skilled, with a higher incidence of unemployment and higher rates of temporality. It is also more likely part-time involuntary and underemployment.

However, these indicators according to some variables, such as the length of residence in spain and the geographical area of origin (largely a reflection, in turn, a different level of average qualification and core competencies), shows that these positions improve with age and that the arrival of flows more diverse is changing rapidly the picture above.

This would reflect a progressive integration into the labour market and spanish society in the last period, even in a context that has been marked by an economic crisis of extraordinary length and hardness. And the increasingly important differences between people, even in the same nationality.

The worst position translates into a considerable wage gap that, together with the highest incidence of unemployment, it determines a greater economic vulnerability of migrants.

That is why it is important to strengthen their employability through active employment policies: putting the focus on training programmes, lifelong learning, improving administrative procedures for approval of titles, as well as in the complementarity of these policies through the maintenance of income.

Furthermore, we must stress the importance of immigration, especially of immigrant women, in support of care to persons with formal and informal, and its potential for the future. this is necessary to implement policies designed to the professionalization of this sector and the upgrading of the work of those who do so.

There are other issues also relating to the labour market, including matters relating to the specificities of frontier workers, systems of procurement in origin and other related aspects.

But it seems essential to refer to aspectsthe integration, coexistence and citizenship.

We are all aware of the relatively satisfactory levels in various indicators that reflect these issues. But so we are of the presence of serious problems, especially funds derived from the concentration of immigrants in certain Geographical areas and enclaves, urban or rural areas.

Furthermore, since the social impact of climate change and action on mitigation and adaptation transcend national borders, the imbalance in the distribution of the effects of climate change exacerbates inequalities existing Norte-Sur.

And since then we cannot avoid the increase of hate speech, particularly in social networks, remain immigrants among its key focus.

The need to commit to preserve the confidence and tolerance in society, these values have to look at the primary objective of both the public authorities, like all organizations and political and social actors in their different fields of activity, including the social partners.

It is crucial that we value the diversity of migrant background and experiences as intrinsic component of the wealth of society.

As every human reality complex, cannot be to simplify the multiple effects of immigration to reduce a stock of costs and benefits. Requires a holistic approach to migration policy, which cannot be reduced to the management of border controls and that should be supported at the highest level of consensus that supports their continuity and effectiveness, with a leading role of social dialogue to give birth to a migration policy not only the national and international, open, flexible and inclusive.

In the report on the socio-economic and labour of spain 2023 prepared by a legal mandate by the economic and Social council and the result of consensus among the major social and corporate actors of our country has reached conclusions that deserve to be highlighted.

The diversity of origins of the population in spain is already among the highest in the european Union, thanks to the increase of immigration and settlement. The volume of residents of foreign nationality was in january 2024 the 6 , 2 million, having intensified heavily arrivals after the pandemic crisis, with an increase of more than seven hundred thousand people arrived since the beginning of 2022 .

As a whole, 12 , 8 by 100 of the population owns foreign nationality and whether they would be considered further the 3 , 2 millions of people born abroad who have acquired spanish nationality, the proportion of population with a migration background amounts to at least 18 , 2 by 100 . 2019 and 2023 while the population born in spain has fallen by 1 , 2 by 100 , born abroad has risen 25 by 100 . 35 , 8 by 100 the foreign-born population is younger than 30 years while one third of the population of spanish nationality has reached the age of sixty. Birth mother of foreign nationality accounted for 23 by 100 of the total in 2022 .

The main resident communities of origin of migration constitute persons born in Morocco, Colombia, romania and Venezuela. The most progressed from 2019 are those of Colombia (increase 69 by 100 ), Venezuela (of 68 by 100 ), Argentina (of 39 by 100 ), Cuba ( 33 by 100 ), Ukraine ( 89 by 100 ) and Honduras ( 83 by 100 ).

The need to ensure the existence of social inclusion policies and non-discrimination towards migrant population poses a major challenge and is predicated on their disadvantaged situation in all areas of socio-economic realities, particularly in the case of persons of non-community and of some countries of the european union, as well as in the case of women.

The integration of immigrants and the prevention of racism and xenophobia is one of the four pillars of the spanish policy on aliens and immigration policy that is supported, in addition, the articulation of safe, orderly migration and to regulate, in regard to the needs of the labour market; preventing and combating illegal immigration, trafficking in human beings, and the irregular employment as well as international cooperation on a bilateral basis with the countries of origin and within the european Union.

Arrivals by irregular way constitute a small part within the high dynamism of the immigration and reflect an increase in recent years. 2023 the ministry of Interior registered 36 . 814 irregular entries by sea ( 35 . 812 ) and land transportation. The first continued to be concentrated in the mediterranean coast, islands Canarias and the second land border in Ceuta and Melilla, causing serious humanitarian situations and social tensions.

This situation continued to require greater strength and coordination of the first attention, urgent intervention, reception and assistance for basic needs. Although the resources were increased during 2023 further efforts remain necessary, especially in the area of the coordination of the various administrations.

The administrative regularly, however, it is the rule among the vast majority of foreigners in Spain without ignore the existence of an unknown volume population without relevant authorizations. 2023 increased 9 by 100 the number of people with the authorization of residence in status of foreigners, reaching 2 , 9 millions of people of non-eu nationals in december 2023 The new arrivals of the latter group, highlighted those from Morocco, ukraine and China, 44 by 100 of the total. The moroccan people represent 27 by 100 of the total number of foreigners in status of foreigners, followed by nationals of ukraine and China 9 by 100 and 8 by 100 respectively.

By nationality, stresses the year of the arrival of people of Colombia ( 34 by 100 ) as well as peruvian citizens and persons, with increases in the 27 and 25 by 100 respectively. Also increased to a lesser extent ( 2 , 3 by 100 ) the volume of community citizens, with a certificate of registration, TAR of the withdrawal and family card UE-AELC citizen or the united kingdom, reaching 3 , 8 millions of people, stressing the nationalities, italian and romanian.

From among the types of authorization of temporary residence, stresses the volume of entries for reasons of studies at the end of. 2023 , 75 . 857 people had authorized to study: an annual increase 20 by 100 that confirms the recovery of the growing trend of this type of entries, which was interrupted by the pandemic and to which it has been able to contribute to the entry into force of the new rules of procedure of the aliens act, which enables them to work simultaneously studies.

Persons with authorization of residence for international protection and increased in statelessness 2023 a 16 by 100 following the rising trend in the past 10 years and noting a significant increase in the authorization of residence for persons of malian origin ( 48 by 100 ) and afghanistan ( 36 ) respectively. It is worth mentioning that in 2023 the ukrainian collective has not stressed both within this group as it had done in 2022 . We must bear in mind that the ukrainian community in Spain with documentation of residence in force has tripled since the exodus prompted by the russian invasion, the three hundred thousand people in march 2024 two thirds of whom had obtained authorization of residence and work by the special mechanism of Temporary protection. The pace of new concessions is already very low, currently dominate the extensions.

In the context of the general membership, foreign workers account 13 , 7 per cent of total six tenths territories, more than just over a year ago. Thus, the foreign employment (close 2024 in historical figures, registering nearly three million foreign affiliates to Social security once granted the effect calendar exceptionality.

They are also to highlight the figures in the CHALLENGES, in the special regime of self-employed workers, which accounted for 467 . 616 contributors of other nationalities, i.e. 13 , 8 per cent of the total. With this, the last year, foreign affiliates in this regime has increased by 8 , 3 per cent.

In 2023 adoption of the strategic framework for citizenship and inclusion, against racism and xenophobia (MECIRX 2023 - 2027 ) after more than ten years after the expiry of the second Plan of citizenship and integration 2011 - 2014 and the global strategy against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The new framework brings together both strategies and intends to fulfil the commitments and recommendations made to Spain from international agencies, as well as serve as a guide to invigorate and give coherence in policies in this area. The Framework it locates the focus on an intercultural model and in the prevention of racism and intolerance, noting as to target the general population. It also identifies a number of groups especially vulnerable, starting with those from migrated; asylum-seekers and beneficiaries; unaccompanied minors; the latin american people of african descent, asian men and women, as well as victims of discrimination for their beliefs or religious practices.

The Framework is proposed as specific objectives in 2027 all the autonomous communities and at least 40 by 100 municipalities have actions and/or plans of integration and/or the prevention of xenophobia and racism, as well as increase in the state level.

Includes six blocks of policies that encompass different areas (attention and redress for victims; legal normative, reception, active inclusion policies, policies of coexistence and policies for the prevention of racism and xenophobia) and twenty-three courses of action, each of which means a series of tactical and proposals for action at the state, autonomous community and/or local level. To verify its implementation, a committee was created for monitoring and evaluation, as well as various instruments including a panel of indicators for measurement and assessment of progress, the development of an annual report, an interim evaluation, and the end, as well as specific case studies and recognition of good practices. The vulnerability of applicants and beneficiaries of international protection in our country is particularly acute and the volume of this group has been increasing from year to year.

As already mentioned, following the intensity of arrivals and applications for temporary protection of refugees arrived from Ukraine after its invasion by russia in 2022 the pace of this country has slowed, but have increased in other origins, Venezuela and Colombia the countries of origin the vast majority. Continued to make significant difficulties in accessing the reception procedure and keep thousands of people in a legal limbo for months. In all, 2023 more than 163 . 000 persons applied for asylum, a 37 by 100 more than the previous year, when it had reached a historical record. Fell, however, the proportion of surveys only be granted asylum to 12 each 100 a people, 4 , 5 by 100 fewer than last year, breaking the pattern of the past two years 200 . Strengthening the mechanism is one of the commitments of the MECIRX 2023 - 2027 .

The European Union should move towards a new diplomacy of migrationto address the weaknesses that presents the current approach to migration policy. On the one hand, wager by outsourcing in the border control weakens the European Union against third parties, which can exploit migration in order to achieve its objectives. In addition, the politicization of migration questions to the european union itself in dealing with uneven benefits asylum-seekers and refugees, acting in contradiction with the principles enshrined in the founding treaties. Finally, will put a focus on mechanisms excessive negative conditionality in relations with third countries – for example, in the suspension of visa arrangements with those countries that do not collaborate in the readmission of migrants –. In a context such as the current, growing geopolitical competition, the european Union should strengthen their partnerships with the so-called Global South.

Therefore, it would be appropriate also to rethink the external dimension of migration policy and to do so from a positive conditionality, to help the european Union to strengthen its links with other countries. A foreign policy in favour of migration would serve the european Union to achieve its geopolitical objectives, would reduce vulnerabilities and, in addition, solve problems recognized in the covenant itself on migration and asylum, as the lack in terms of manpower to the european Union, in a context, in addition, of obvious ageing european population.

It should be recognized that the current pact has elements that move in this direction, as is the case of the blue card to attract talent, mentioned above. Also recognizes that the work of rescue at sea, are a moral imperative, particularly positive aspect to bear in mind, there are still humanitarian tragedies european shores.

We must appeal to the regular migration, orderly and, above all, secureto ensure a full inclusion in our society of the migrant population.