Portugal to Offer Work Permits to Moroccan Migrants Amid Labor Shortages

Negotiations between the two countries have progressed a lot, according to the Portuguese Minister of the Interior. Eduardo Cabrita told the press that Portugal was lacking manpower in the construction and agriculture sectors. Granting a work permit would help solve the problem of illegal immigration.

A boat carrying 28 migrants arrived on Tuesday in southern Portugal. The sixth of its kind since the beginning of this year, bringing the total number of African nationals arrested by the Portuguese authorities to nearly 100, including 69 Moroccans. The situation has led the Interior Ministers of Morocco and Portugal to hold a videoconference meeting.

Eduardo Cabrita and Abdelouafi Laftit agreed on the need to intensify their cooperation in the fight against irregular migration and human trafficking.