In the expansive production facility of a Spanish food company located in Guissona, workers from an astonishing 62 different nationalities collaborate harmoniously, ensuring the seamless operation of the plant. Here, millions of legs of ham glide effortlessly along conveyor lines—a testament to the diverse workforce’s efficiency.
Spain’s economy has thrived, bolstered by this multicultural labor force, even as other nations grapple with mounting anti-immigration sentiments. The company’s human resources director, Xavier Moreno, acknowledges that the success of BonÀrea hinges significantly on its foreign employees. Their contributions are seen as invaluable, deserving gratitude for their role in the company’s achievements.
Spain’s embrace of foreign workers has been instrumental in its economy’s outstanding growth rate of approximately 3% last year. This surpasses the eurozone’s average growth and outperforms the United States, where the economic upswing was marked at 2.8%, amid policies aimed at tightening immigration regulations.
Statistics from Spain’s ministry for social security and migration reveal that since 2022, nearly half of the new jobs have gone to fresh, foreign-born laborers, who now form about 13% of the national workforce. Minister Elma Saiz articulates Spain’s choice between becoming a restrictive, poor nation or an open, thriving one, praising the decision for prosperity through openness.
Economy expert Pedro Aznar from Esade Business School highlights the positive impact of foreign workers on Spain’s market, especially compared to Germany, facing difficulties in its traditional manufacturing sector. This success is notably driven by Spain’s robust service sector, particularly tourism, with foreign employees taking on lower-wage positions that many native Spaniards eschew. The common language factor enables swift integration, particularly for South American migrants, into Spain’s societal and economic life.
Immigration is credited with expanding Spain’s population post-pandemic, with a million arrivals in 2022 alone. According to the Bank of Spain, these newcomers are essential in sustaining the social security system of an aging nation, a concern echoed across Europe. Specifically, 85% of jobs acquired in the first nine months of the previous year were by foreign-born individuals.
While anti-immigration ideologies grow in parts of Europe, Spain maintains its stance toward embracing migrants. Political groups advocating against immigration have made some headway but failed to significantly sway the national discourse. Personal stories, such as that of Mohamed Es-Saile, who entered Spain at 16 from Morocco, illustrate successful integration. Now legally working at BonÀrea, Es-Saile feels no animosity toward migrants.
The majority of Spain’s legal immigrants hail from Latin America. With over 4 million Latin American residents by 2023, people like Víctor Razuri from Peru have found seamless integration into the workforce. With assistance like language classes and help setting up life, BonÀrea supports its diverse employees, addressing cultural adjustments proactively.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez champions the economic advantages of legal migration. An estimated 458,000 immigrants gained legal status last year, many coming from Latin America, parts of Africa, and Ukraine. Often found in services, construction, and agriculture, these workers fill vital roles in sustaining Spain’s economic health.
Spain faces an imperative to adapt its workforce to care for a growing elderly demographic. As chronic unemployment persists at 10.6%, the Bank of Spain eyes future needs, projecting a requirement of 30 million working-age migrants over three decades to balance the workforce-retiree ratio.
In urban settings like Barcelona, businesses rely heavily on foreign workers to fill positions that native Spaniards often avoid. Café owner Jordi Ortiz exemplifies this reliance, while contractor Víctor Lisbona notes a similar trend within construction trades, with many Spaniards pursuing professional careers over manual labor.
To manage unauthorized migration, Spain collaborates with the European Union and African nations, exploring initiatives like temporary work schemes. Domestically, the Spanish government aims to regularize the status of nearly 900,000 undocumented immigrants, drawing them into the formal economy. With job openings anticipated, entities like BonÀrea express readiness to assimilate these individuals into their workforce.
