This weekend, a total of 98 Ecuadorians embarked on a journey to Spain as part of the Circular Migration program, which aims to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration. This initiative comes in response to the increasing number of risky migratory flows experienced by many individuals, providing them with a structured opportunity to work abroad. These workers are expected to engage in agricultural labor for a nine-month period, after which they must return to Ecuador but may be re-hired for future seasons.

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility announced that the Minister of Labor, Harold Burbano, and the Deputy Minister of Human Mobility, Saúl Pacurucu, were present at the airport to send off this second group of workers traveling to Almería, Spain. This initiative is part of a bilateral agreement established between Ecuador and Spain, which facilitates the movement of laborers in various sectors. The program also allows for better coordination between the Ecuadorian state and Spanish companies regarding recruitment, visa management, and transportation of workers.

As of this month, the Ecuadorian government has managed to secure 400 new job placements under this program, highlighting its success in addressing not only the labor needs of the Spanish agricultural sector but also the employment challenges faced by Ecuadorians at home. This system is expected to create more job opportunities and enhance the economic situation for these migrant workers, addressing the pressing issue of safe migration and reducing the risks associated with irregular migration routes.