The Consell Comarcal de la Terra Alta, located in Catalonia's Terres de l'Ebre region, has processed approximately 200 migrants seeking regularisation through an extraordinary central government initiative this week. The council is tasked with managing and certifying vulnerability reports, a crucial requirement for residents across its twelve municipalities, including Gandesa, to complete the extensive and complex procedure.
From Monday to Thursday, around 200 individuals approached the council to enter the process. Joan Aubanell, president of the Consell Comarcal, noted that the majority of applicants are young people aged between 25 and 35, though some are up to 40 years old. Most originate from Gandesa and Corbera d'Ebre, with primary nationalities being Pakistani and Moroccan, followed by Colombian, Senegalese, and Gambian individuals.
Aubanell highlighted that a significant hurdle for many applicants is the language barrier, often necessitating accompaniment by individuals who can translate. To manage the workload, the council has deployed an immigration technician, whose position is funded through programme contracts, working in close coordination with social services.
Addressing Undeclared Work
The volume of applicants surprised social services, according to Aubanell, who noted that many migrants "were outside the system." He attributed this to the unfortunate reality that many had been engaged in undeclared work, often referred to as the "black economy." Aubanell admitted that the initial days of the process were "a little chaotic" as the council rapidly organised its resources to meet the unexpected demand.
Despite the logistical challenges, Aubanell strongly affirmed the migrants' desire to integrate and contribute. "What I would like to make clear," he stated, "is that those who come here do so because they want to work." He directly challenged "hate speech" from certain political parties, arguing that the labour provided by these individuals is essential for strengthening the region's primary sector.
Aubanell underscored the broader societal benefits of the regularisation process, explaining that it enables these individuals to contribute to the Social Security system. "As a society, it is in our interest that they contribute to Social Security because, ultimately, they do not want to take advantage of the system but rather make their contribution," he concluded, emphasising their role in the region's economic and social fabric.
