Spain’s one-off regularisation programme, launched in April to bring an estimated 500,000 undocumented migrants into the formal economy, enters its final fortnight with mounting criticism over paperwork delays. Infobae reports that advocacy group Regularización Ya has asked parliament for a three-month extension, citing cases where applicants cannot secure fingerprint appointments before the 30 June cut-off. Employers sponsoring long-term contractors under the scheme complain that regional police stations release appointment slots via an online portal at random times, making workforce planning nearly impossible. Some construction firms in Madrid say only half of their migrant labour force has managed to file complete dossiers, jeopardising summer project timelines. The Ministry of Inclusion insists that 260,000 files have already been pre-approved, but lawyers note that approval alone does not grant work authorisation; physical residence cards must be issued, and printers in several provinces report backlogs of up to six weeks. Until cards are collected, new hires cannot be added to Social Security rolls, exposing companies to fines for undeclared labour. Global-mobility teams should audit whether any local contractors or domestic staff supporting expatriates are still waiting for appointments. If so, contingency service contracts or third-party labour suppliers may be required to bridge gaps. An extension, if granted, would offer breathing space but is by no means assured given political fatigue over migration issues.
Source: Infobae
