In a noon press conference on 29 June, Spain’s largest trade-union confederation, Comisiones Obreras (CCOO), revealed it has already processed more than 7,500 dossiers on behalf of migrants seeking legal status under the extraordinary regularization. The union deployed 200 staff and partnered with NGOs such as Médicos del Mundo and SOS Racismo to reach agricultural camps, domestic-service workers and informal settlements. While hailing the process as “an exercise of political responsibility,” CCOO’s national migration secretary, Sofía Castillo, flagged operational snags: police stations in several provinces lack the personnel and equipment needed to capture fingerprints and issue foreigners’ ID cards (TIEs). Applicants are reportedly being turned away or asked for additional documents – such as proof of municipal registration – that were not required at the filing stage. Castillo urged the Interior and Migration ministries to reinforce biometric stations swiftly, warning that unresolved delays could leave thousands in legal limbo, unable to sign labour contracts or open bank accounts. The union also demanded uniform criteria across Spain’s 52 foreigners’ offices to avoid “postcode lottery” outcomes. For employers planning to hire regularized workers, the message is clear: allow extra lead-time for post-approval biometrics and consider assisting candidates with appointment scheduling. Mobility managers should also monitor evolving police-station requirements to minimise start-date slippage. CCOO’s data show that Latin-American nationals dominate the filings – with Colombia, Peru and Venezuela leading – and that women account for nearly half of all applicants, reflecting Spain’s service-sector labour demand.
Source: Notimérica / Europa Press
