"Italy, Germany, and Spain enter the race for foreign workers." This is the headline from... PublicThis comes from Portugal and reflects a growing trend among European governments facing labor shortages and moving towards more flexible immigration policies.
According to the newspaperBrazil occupies a prominent position in this scenario. Beyond professional qualifications, the cultural adaptation of Brazilians has facilitated their integration into diverse markets. This trend is observed mainly in sectors such as health, technology, engineering, commerce, and services.
Italy retreats after stricter immigration measures.
The newspaper noted that in Italy, the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni adopted a series of measures in the first months of the year to restrict immigration and access to citizenship. It cited a bill that had been approved by Parliament. but awaits Supreme Court review of its constitutionality..
Despite the initial tightening of restrictions, the administration backtracked and began adopting measures to attract descendants of Italians in seven countries, including Brazil. The reversal came after warnings about the economic slowdown caused by the labor shortage.
“Reality has prevailed,” stated lawyer Fábio Pimentel, an immigration specialist, to [the publication/publication]. PublicAccording to him, the economy cannot advance without workers. "You can't invent people," he says. Pimentel points out that areas such as health, industry, and agriculture suffer from shortages. In the hospital sector alone, there are more than 65 open positions. To attract professionals, the Italian government offers up to 7 euros per month, in addition to housing, airfare, and language courses.
Germany facilitates visas and recognizes diplomas.
The Portuguese newspaper also highlighted that Germany has also relaxed rules to attract foreigners. Among the main measures is the creation of... chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)This program allows residents to stay in the country for up to one year to search for employment. Priority areas include information technology, engineering, logistics, and healthcare.
The country has signed bilateral agreements with Brazil to expedite the recognition of diplomas. The initiative allows immigrants to bring their families and guarantees work permits for their spouses. Experts believe this package represents progress compared to Portugal.
Portugal loses ground due to uncertainty.
Conversely, Portugal lost momentum by suspending work-seeking visas and postponing the legal definition of "highly skilled worker." The new immigration law came into effect almost two months ago, but it has not yet been regulated.
Brazilians, who were the main beneficiaries of the work-seeking visa, were directly affected. The measure has a direct impact on the Portuguese market, which is suffering from a shortage of workers due to an aging population.
According to Pimentel, the conduct of Portuguese immigration policy is guided by ideological disputes. "Recent government decisions have been tainted by far-right rhetoric. At no point were economic issues taken into consideration," he stated.
While other countries are moving to meet domestic demands by attracting foreigners, Portugal faces criticism for adopting a stance considered slow and lacking in pragmatism.
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