Timoteo Macedo, head of the Immigrant Solidarity Association, cautioned that Portugal’s recently implemented restrictive immigration laws could hurt the country’s economy by driving away much-needed foreign labor.
Macedo warned that the new law, which tightens entry and residence criteria, is already changing migratory flows and not in Portugal’s favor. He made this statement after President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa approved it.
Brazil, India, Angola, Pakistan, Nepal, and other major migrant populations have seen a drop in arrivals, he claimed, adding that “citizens have stopped coming to Portugal and have started going to other countries.”
Portugal cannot afford to seal its doors, Macedo emphasized, despite the government’s argument that the measure is required to manage and limit migration.
“Portugal needs immigrants. To meet the goals of the Portugal 2030 plan and the Recovery and Resilience Program (RRP), more immigrants are needed, from Brazil or anywhere else,” he told Viory.
Facing labour gaps in construction, agriculture, hospitality, and care work, Portugal’s ageing population has made immigration essential to its economy.
But Macedo cautioned that tightening immigration rules too much could hurt growth, arguing that the economy still depends heavily on foreign labour.
