Moving Migrants
People & Power looks at what life is like for Spain’s growing number of immigrants.
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| Some sectors of Spain’s economy would struggle without the labour of illegal economic migrants |
Spain has Europe’s fastest growing immigrant population, but it is illegal immigration mainly from North Africa and Eastern Europe that causes the greatest controversy.
Spain’s Moroccan enclaves are an attractive destination for huge numbers of would-be immigrants from Africa. Similarly, as the borders of Europe have opened, large numbers of economic migrants have made their way to the peninsula.
On the outskirts of Madrid there is a huge shanty-town called Canada Real. It has become a flashpoint in the battle for recognition and acceptance for around 30,000 mainly Roma and Moroccan immigrants.
The mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, says that the dilapidated dwellings that house the immigrants are illegal, and recent attempts by the authorities to bulldoze homes has seen an upsurge in violence.
But the other, less discussed side to immigration are the benefits to the European economy.
Lower wage costs fuelled by the influx of illegal labour are a considerable help in keeping the European consumers shopping bill low.
Spain’s critical economic sectors would find it harder to function without this tolerated ‘black economy’ and the labour of these, often illegal, economic migrants.
What is the reality for those that have made it to Spain?
Trumped
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| Retired fisherman Michael Forbes is fighting to keep his land from becoming a golf course |
You might have heard of Donald Trump. He is a billionaire businessman based in New York with a passion for development.
His latest project is an enormous golf resort on a stretch of idyllic Scottish coastline that promises investment to rural Aberdeenshire.
Michael Forbes you probably have not heard of. He is a retired Scottish fisherman who lives on and owns a patch of Aberdeenshire coastline Trump wants for this golf course.
Two years ago, when Michael Forbes was out mending his nets, Donald Trump appeared and asked to buy Forbes’ land.
Trump’s plans were, in fact, already underway. In 2006 he had bought 1,400 acres of the surrounding estate for nearly $10 million, and he wanted this last spot to make his proposed $2 billion golf resort, his first in Europe, and what he wants to be the best in the world.
The development plans have divided Scotland. Whilst business leaders and many locals welcome the promise of investment, environmentalists are up in arms at the potential damage the development will cause.
It is up to the Scottish government to decide if the economic reward outweighs the environmental cost. One thing is for sure – Michael Forbes is standing his ground.
Jenny Dare visits the tranquil edge of coastline in dispute, to investigate what drives this Scotsman to keep up his battle against the American billionaire.
This episode of People & Power aired from Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at the following times GMT:
Tuesday: 01.30, 12.30, 19.30
Wednesday: 03.30, 10.30, 22.30
Thursday: 10.30
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