InfoAnda - Spanish downturn ends immigrants' dream of better life

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

US commander sees Afghan gains, challenges | 8 December 2010
S.Korea seen intervening to curb won's rise -dealers | 8 February 2011
Berlusconi says won't resign even if convicted | International | | 31 October 2009

Bob Dylan to exhibit artwork in Denmark | 16 September 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Spanish downturn ends immigrants' dream of better life

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World Spanish downturn ends immigrants' dream of better life AFP - Monday, January 3 Send IM Story Print Spanish downturn ends immigrants' dream of better life MADRID (AFP) - – After losing her job as a maid several months ago, 26-year-old Magaly Baez is preparing to return to Paraguay with her husband, an unemployed waiter, and their nine-month-old baby. "The plan had been to stay in Spain, bring over our children and obtain residency papers," she said as she left a government-run soup kitchen set up by the regional government of Madrid specifically for immigrants. Spanish visa rules deny renewal requests if immigrants become unemployed and fail to make social security payments. So without jobs the couple are no longer living legally in Spain, putting an end to their hopes of having their three other children to join them in the country. Just three years after moving to Spain, the couple has decided to accept the offer to have their return trip home paid for by the Spanish government. Spain's sharp economic downturn has put an end to the dream of a better life for tens of thousands of immigrants from Latin America like Baez who moved to the country over the past decade. The country has 5.7 million immigrants, just over one-quarter of them from former Spanish colonies in Latin America, out of a total population of 47 million, up from around half a million in 1996. Many were drawn to jobs in the construction sector, which collapsed when the bubble burst on Spain's credit-fueled property market at the end of 2008, causing the unemployment rate to soar, especially amongst immigrants. Spain's jobless rate stands at around 20 percent for the general population but it is ten percentage points higher amongst immigrants, according to official data. Of all the member states of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development with a foreign population of at least ten percent, Spain has the highest immigrant unemployment rate. Without steady jobs, many immigrants struggle to cover basic necessities. Baez said she earned some money babysitting or doing housecleaning but relied on charities like the soup kitchen to survive. "At the beginning I felt ashamed. But if it wasn't for this, who knows what we would eat," she said as she held bags of food provided by the soup kitchen to feed herself, her husband and her baby. The soup kitchen has gone from feeding 300 people a day before the collapse of the property sector to 500 last year and over 600 currently. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's Socialist government launched a programme at the end of 2008 to ease the "voluntary return" of jobless immigrants which allows them to collect their unemployment benefits in two lump-sum payments if they go back to their countries of origin. At the time the government estimated around 100,000 people would take advantage of the programme but so far only 15,000 people have applied, according to labour ministry figures. "It has been a failure," said Raul Jimenez, the spokesman of Ruminahui, a group which represents Ecuadoreans living in Spain. "The amount of money offered is not enough to pay for return flights, buy a house and set up a small business." Many immigrants say they do not want to accept the lump-sum payments because of the requirement that they give up their right to live and work in Spain for three years in return. Others say they are embarrassed to return home with little to show for their time in the country, or have mortgages and other debts in the country to pay or they do not want to pull their children out of school. "The return is not right for us now," said German Cuellar, a 44-year-old Bolivian who lost his job as a waiter a year and a half ago as he left the soup kitchen with food for his wife and their two sons aged 17 and three. "We will fight to the end. If we have to leave, we will. But as our sons are in school we do not want to interrupt their studies." But Cesar Lezcano, a 40-year-old Ecuadorean, said he did not think too long about accepting the offer after he lost his job at a bakery in the town of Alcala de Henares located just outside the Spanish capital. "Every day I would see friends who could not find work. I wanted to make use of the little which I had," he said. Lezcano, who moved to Spain three years ago, received 40 percent, or 3,500 euros (4,600 dollars), of unemployment benefits he was entitled to now and will get the remaining 60 percent when he arrives in Quito. "I am a little disappointed," said Lezcano, who had hoped to save enough while in Spain to build a home in Ecuador. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles "Another Year," another Oscar bet for Mike Leigh Reuters - Monday, January 3 Fockers, True Grit lead soft new year box office Reuters - Monday, January 3 US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Monday, January 3 Hollywood actresses recount career challenges Reuters - Monday, January 3 Rock great Chuck Berry falls ill at New Year's show Reuters - Monday, January 3 News Search Top Stories Hasta la Vista: Arnie quits as California governor Refusal to up debt ceiling 'catastrophic': Obama aide Winterkorn to remain at Volkswagen helm until end-2016 Falling blackbirds baffle Arkansas officials Brazil's new president starts work, meets leaders More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed New smoking laws takes force in Spain Viking wolves return for first solar eclipse of 2011 Britain set for rocky economic ride in 2011 Anna Chapman stars in New Year 'Soviet spy film' No pardon for Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Monday, 3 January 2011
Egypt holds seven for questioning after church blast
Russia's liberal leader Nemtsov jailed for 15 days: report
Stoning of Iran woman could be quashed: judiciary
iPhone alarm glitch leaves users fuming
Falling blackbirds baffle Arkansas officials
Over 10,000 died in Afghan violence in 2010
Sweden bomber's wife denies knowledge of attack
Iran says shot down two spy planes in Gulf
Spain's bars go smoke-free in tough new law
Major 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Chile |
iPhone alarm glitch leaves users fuming
Israeli troops kill Palestinian at West Bank checkpoint |
Russian 'arms dealer' Bout 'rejected plea bargain'
Kremlin critic Nemtsov and two others jailed |
Iran Guards shoot down two 'Western spy' drones
Pakistan's main government coalition partner quits
"Little Fockers" leads depressed new year box office
Asian ship sets sail with Gaza aid
More than 1,000 birds fall dead from Arkansas sky
'Little Fockers' laughs its way to box office lead
Pakistan government in crisis as coalition partner quits
Spain's bars and restaurants go smoke-free in tough new law
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
China critic and Hong Kong democrat dies at 79
Apple wakes up to iPhone alarm glitch on New Year's |
"Little Fockers" leads depressed new year box office
Expedia dumps American Airlines listings |
Cannes-winning Swede Oscarsson feared dead in fire
S.Korea clamps down on illegal whale-hunting
Rock great Chuck Berry falls ill during New Year's show |
Little Fockers leads depressed new year box office |
Ethnic discrimination infests Afghan army, soldiers say
US-TECH Summary
Coptics protesting bombing clash with Egypt police |
Egypt minister pelted, fears of sectarian unrest
Apple wakes up to iPhone alarm glitch on New Year's
Strong 7.1 magnitude quake hits Chile, no injuries |
Hasta la Vista: Arnie quits as California governor
Refusal to up debt ceiling 'catastrophic': Obama aide
Pakistan PM to meet opposition on political turmoil |
Winterkorn to remain at Volkswagen helm until end-2016
Ivory Coast's Gbagbo resists African demands he step down |
Australian floods submerge towns, coal exports hit |
Australian military flies in flood relief supplies
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
South Korea tells Pyongyang door to dialogue open |
US Korea envoys head to east Asia
Shine taken off Australia at start of final Ashes Test
Judo deaths alarm Japanese parents
Pakistan's main government coalition partner quits
Australian city of Brisbane braces for flooding
Fockers, True Grit lead soft new year box office
Hollywood actresses recount career challenges
Goldman, Digital Sky Technologies invest in Facebook: report |
CES gadget fest sizzle fizzles |
Apple's iPhone woes continue as some in Asia sleep in |
Google exploring digital newsstand: report |
"Another Year," another Oscar bet for Mike Leigh
Intel woos Hollywood studios with new microchip |
Hollywood actresses recount career challenges
Sales of electronic cigarettes rise, and so does criticism
Qualcomm to build $1 billion panel plant in Taiwan |
Spanish downturn ends immigrants' dream of better life
iGate cancels briefing; Patni deal was expected |
Rock great Chuck Berry falls ill at New Year's show
Palestine National Orchestra makes debut in Israel
Spain's bars and restaurants go smoke-free in tough new law
Actor David Arquette in rehab: reports |
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor's lower leg to be amputated |
Hollywood actresses recount career challenges |
Fockers, True Grit lead soft new year box office |
Intel woos Hollywood studios with new microchip |
Another Year, another Oscar bet for Mike Leigh |
Recognition for Phil Ochs in powerful documentary |
News
Iran hangs seven convicted drug smugglers
News
News
Bomb blasts hit Swiss, Chilean embassies in Rome
Police: Bomb kills civilian in west Afghanistan
"30 Rock" Voted Least Ethical TV Show In New Study
Afghan violence in 2010 kills thousands: government |
Attack on intel service in northeast Iraq wounds 28 |
U.S. renews Mideast peace bid after holiday break |
Australian military rushes supplies to flood zone
Macau gaming revenue hits record in 2010
Australian floods submerge towns
Policeman shot dead in northeastern Nigeria |
Australia waste early hard work in final Test
Taking Brazil's helm, Rousseff nods to Wall Street |
S.Korea president holds out hope of N.Korea talks
Thai teenager who left nine dead to be sent to girls' home
Drunk German arrested for 'killing' Thai motorcyclist
South Korea tells Pyongyang door to dialogue open
Organic farming blooms in Serbia
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor to have leg amputated: report
Australian cinema roof collapses, injuring 36: police
Actor David Arquette in rehab: reports
S.Korea SK Energy spins off units; renamed as SK Innovation
News
News
POSCO to tap Africa,Siberia,poles for resources-chairman
News
Qualcomm to build $1 billion panel plant in Taiwan
S.Korea won at 6-wk closing high on upbeat data, stock buying
China announces nuclear fuel breakthrough
Nintendo warns children not to play new player in 3D |
Qualcomm to build $1 bln panel plant in Taiwan
Barnes & Noble says holiday same-store sales up 9.7 percent |
Pakistani president vows support for embattled PM
Seoul shares set record closing high
China pledges support for troubled Spain economy
Analysis: Space a frontier too far for U.S.-China cooperation |
Pakistani stocks down on political crisis
Black leaders in Chicago unite behind former senator Braun
100,000 fish dead in Arkansas after thousands of birds drop from sky
"30 Rock" Voted Least Ethical TV Show In New Study
Advocates of 9/11 James Zadroga bill welcome Obama signature
Sleep apnea therapy shown to increase daytime energy
FDA Warns People Away From Deadly Weight-Loss Product
Rock and roll icon Chuck Berry collapses on stage
Schwarzenegger ends term as California governor
Patni deal with iGate, Apax still on-source
iGate-Patni deal still on, delays procedural: source
Goldman deal 'values Facebook at $50 billion'
News
Qualcomm to build $1 bln panel plant in Taiwan
Usual Suspects star Pete Postlethwaite dies |
Google moving in on Apple's digital newsstand
Google eyes smaller players after Groupon-report
European debt crisis a boon for British blogger
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01