Speaking in Huelva on 25 June, Spain’s Minister of Inclusion and Migration, Elma Saiz, described the GECCO seasonal-worker programme and its EU-funded Wafira II training track as a ‘formula for success’. The scheme brings 225 Moroccan women to pick soft fruit each season, couples the job with entrepreneurship coaching and supports their return to start businesses at home. Circular migration has become a cornerstone of Spain’s 2025 foreign-worker reforms, which added a legal pathway for repeat seasonal visas and streamlined employer sponsorship.
![Government hails Morocco–Spain circular migration scheme as model for ‘win-win’ labour mobility]()
If your organisation is looking to navigate Spain’s evolving visa landscape, VisaHQ offers step-by-step guidance and application processing for seasonal, work and business visas. Their online platform simplifies requirements and timelines, helping employers and travellers stay compliant while focusing on the opportunities these new programmes create.
According to Saiz, 80 % of GECCO participants are Moroccan and retention rates among growers exceed 95 %. The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) provides technical oversight, while Andalusian cooperatives handle on-the-ground logistics. For companies that rely on agriculture, hospitality or construction peaks, the model demonstrates how bilateral labour accords can fill shortages without permanent immigration. HR teams should note that applicants must complete pre-departure training and will be tied to designated employers, reducing mid-season churn. The Wafira II module also aligns with ESG targets: participants study financial literacy and leadership before returning to Morocco with seed funding. Businesses in Spain can cite the project when documenting social-impact metrics. Saiz hinted that similar schemes with other origin countries are under negotiation, potentially opening new avenues for regulated, demand-driven mobility beyond Europe.
If your organisation is looking to navigate Spain’s evolving visa landscape, VisaHQ offers step-by-step guidance and application processing for seasonal, work and business visas. Their online platform simplifies requirements and timelines, helping employers and travellers stay compliant while focusing on the opportunities these new programmes create.
According to Saiz, 80 % of GECCO participants are Moroccan and retention rates among growers exceed 95 %. The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) provides technical oversight, while Andalusian cooperatives handle on-the-ground logistics. For companies that rely on agriculture, hospitality or construction peaks, the model demonstrates how bilateral labour accords can fill shortages without permanent immigration. HR teams should note that applicants must complete pre-departure training and will be tied to designated employers, reducing mid-season churn. The Wafira II module also aligns with ESG targets: participants study financial literacy and leadership before returning to Morocco with seed funding. Businesses in Spain can cite the project when documenting social-impact metrics. Saiz hinted that similar schemes with other origin countries are under negotiation, potentially opening new avenues for regulated, demand-driven mobility beyond Europe.
