The debate on immigration in Spain continues to be one of the most delicate and relevant topics on the political and social scene. It is not just an economic or coexistence issue, but moral and humanitarian aspects that must not be ignored. This issue has also raised the concern of Pope Francis, who strongly condemned the treatment of immigrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. The Pontiff stressed the obligation of countries, especially those with greater economic stability, to welcome people, especially unaccompanied minors. This is an issue that goes beyond mere numbers or the dynamics of the labor market; it is a question of humanity.
Welcoming immigrants is not a political option that can be debated in merely pragmatic terms. People fleeing war, violence or situations of extreme poverty deserve to be supported and protected. Spain, historically a country of emigration, has a moral duty to offer a safe haven, so that these people can have a real opportunity to live with dignity and prosper. Lamine Yamal or Nico Willians are a clear example of how welcoming those who come looking for hope in life can end up enriching Spanish society itself.
However, we believe that policies aimed at recruiting labour from outside our borders have an impact on our labour market, which still suffers from unacceptable unemployment rates. Flooding the labour market without providing the appropriate tools for unemployed people – regardless of their nationality, origin or administrative situation – to access decent jobs, only contributes to generating conditions of job insecurity, poverty and exploitation. The real problem is not immigration itself, but the lack of adequate policies to manage both the labour market and the reception of new arrivals.
The challenge is not to close the doors, but to create a more efficient system that allows everyone, whether immigrants or nationals, to access quality employment. This implies that employment services must be more efficient and better coordinated with market demands. It is essential to invest in training and retraining workers, so that they can adapt to the new realities of work and thus fill the available positions. It is also necessary to invest in decent working conditions. Spain must avoid the temptation to ignore the problems of its labor market by looking for people abroad to fill temporary or low-skilled jobs, thus prolonging structural deficits, but should instead focus on improving the quality of employment and adapting the unemployed who are here. in the vacancies. The various public administrations have a moral, political and legal obligation to give a chance to the more than three million people – registered as unemployed and undocumented – who are looking for a job in our country. Until all this is done, it does not seem reasonable to recruit workers from other countries.
True social policy is one that places the individual at the centre, not only as a figure or a force of work, but as a human being with rights and dignity. Spain has the capacity to welcome those who need it most, but it must also avoid creating and maintaining a precarious labour market. Welcoming immigrants and coexistence must be a priority and must be carried out alongside policies that promote stable employment, effective employment services and training opportunities for all workers.
In short, the balance between humanitarian reception and job stability is not impossible, but it requires a comprehensive approach. We need to think about what kind of society we want to be: an unjust, unsupportive and precarious society, or a society that opens its doors to the most vulnerable while ensuring fair working conditions for all. Real social policy consists of creating decent and sustainable working conditions and guaranteeing that every person has a real opportunity to integrate and prosper in a just and supportive society.
