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Spain and Senegal in migrant deal | |
(about 12 hours later) | |
Spain and Senegal have agreed a series of measures to curb illegal migration to the Canary Islands. | |
Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said that over the next two years, 4,000 Senegalese would be allowed to work temporarily in Spain. | |
Mr Zapatero was in Senegalese capital, Dakar, for a day of talks. | |
Spain's Canary Islands are a tempting destination for many Africans, and at least half of almost 30,000 illegal arrivals in 2006 have been Senegalese. | |
Spain repatriated 4,000 of them recently after an agreement with the West African nation. | |
'Human capital' | |
After signing the accords with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, Mr Zapatero said: "This makes possible the emigration of Senegalese under a legal framework through our labour ministry and the job market. Happily, we are in need of labourers." | |
Mr Zapatero said Spain would keep its promise, made earlier in the year, to give $27m to Senegal to fund job training and create economic opportunities for youth. | |
"Nothing is worse for a country than losing its human capital," he said. | |
Both countries have also agreed to extend till June a border patrol operation to deter potential migrants. | |
The joint operation was due to expire at the end of December. | |
Tens of thousands of Senegalese, seeking to escape poverty and unemployment, have tried to make the dangerous journey to the Canary Islands over the years. | |
Many have died at sea, and joint patrols have been sent up to try to prevent illegal immigrants reaching Europe. | Many have died at sea, and joint patrols have been sent up to try to prevent illegal immigrants reaching Europe. |
See details of the patrol deployment | See details of the patrol deployment |
In Senegal, jobs are scarce and the average income is less than $2 (£1) a day compared to about $70 (£35) a day in Spain. | In Senegal, jobs are scarce and the average income is less than $2 (£1) a day compared to about $70 (£35) a day in Spain. |
Presidential polls | Presidential polls |
In the past, President Wade has been criticised by many in the country for allowing the repatriation of Senegalese from Spain. | |
Critics say this blocks a migrant's only chance at a better life when jobs are scarce at home. | |
The president is seeking re-election in February, and correspondents say that with unemployment a major problem, the promise of job opportunities in Spain will do his campaign no harm. | |
But Spain will only be able to offer contracts to a fraction of those looking for work, so gaining a visa will still be a lottery and illegal journeys by land and sea will not be ended, they say. | |
FRONTEX DEPLOYMENT Mauritania: 4 former Guardia Civil patrol boats, 1 Guardia Civil patrol boat, 1 Guardia Civil helicopter, 1 Customs patrolSenegal: 1 Italian ship, 1 Italian plane, 1 Guardia Civil patrol boat, 1 Spanish Police helicopter, 3 Senegalese boats, 1 Senegalese plane, 1 Finnish plane dueCape Verde: 1 Portuguese frigate | FRONTEX DEPLOYMENT Mauritania: 4 former Guardia Civil patrol boats, 1 Guardia Civil patrol boat, 1 Guardia Civil helicopter, 1 Customs patrolSenegal: 1 Italian ship, 1 Italian plane, 1 Guardia Civil patrol boat, 1 Spanish Police helicopter, 3 Senegalese boats, 1 Senegalese plane, 1 Finnish plane dueCape Verde: 1 Portuguese frigate |
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