Law on foreigners is not being applied say immigrants

THE Immigration Forum of the Balearics has drawn up a report criticising the government representative's office for repeatedly failing to comply with the law on foreigners. Fernanda Caro, the Balearic social welfare minister, said that the report would be delivered today to Miquel Ramis, the government representative, and Antoni Comas, director of the social security treasury in the islands. The report is critical of the delays in granting work and residence permits, which can take up to two years.
Eva Cerdeiriña, head of the CITE (information centre for foreign workers) pointed out that the law establishes a time limit of three months for the administration to grant permits and renovations. She added that the representative blames the situation on staff shortages, “but we feel there is a clear will on the part of the government to maintain this situation and not find solutions.” Boul Harrak, spokesman for the North Africans Association, said that the situation is serious as the delays mean immigrants are living in an illegal situation and in danger of being exploited. Caro said that the central government's immigration policy in the Balearics was “irresponsible” and it affected nearly 40'000 immigrants from the European Union as well as other countries in the islands to a greater or lesser extent.