At the University of Minho in Guimarães, Braga district, during a visit to the supercomputer Deucalion, Mariana Mortágua highlighted that the agreement excludes undocumented immigrants who come for small-scale economic opportunities, stating that they “will not have the framework to access this fast-track.”
“This model will not solve the issue of undocumented immigrants, as it will not encompass everyone. It will create another problem with paid intermediaries, private networks operating outside the national territory recruiting workers without supervision, leading to a situation where those who can pay more will be selected,” she asserted.
According to the Bloco de Esquerda leader, the model “creates intermediaries outside of Portugal that subsequently feed networks that are ‘legal mafias.'”
The government today signed an agreement with employer confederations and business associations stipulating that visas should be issued within 20 days from the date the applicant visits the consular office, provided legal requirements are met, including a work contract, health insurance, and travel insurance, among others.
Last week, the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, stated that the agreement does not constitute a fast track for immigration.
Mariana Mortágua argued, “this is not an ideal model,” describing it instead as “a makeshift solution in response to the rushed measure the government adopted during the European elections,” which involved the abolition of the declaration of interest.
Mortágua criticized the ending of the declaration of interest as “a mistake and a huge irresponsibility,” emphasizing that it was executed “to try to compete for votes with Chega.”
“We already had a solution in place. It wasn’t being well implemented, but we had a solution; the declaration of interest is a solution,” she stated.
However, the Bloco de Esquerda politician conceded that there are aspects of the new government model “that are significant, notably the accountability of major employers for ensuring housing conditions.”
“We cannot have an employer hiring immigrants for fruit picking, knowing there is no accommodation available, yet hiring them regardless, and knowing the payment made to an intermediary results in them receiving below the national minimum wage. Employers must be held accountable for paying fair wages and ensuring housing conditions. This concern is legitimate and it is valid that the government has addressed it,” she concluded.
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