800 Indian Immigrants in Porto Lack Work Documentation: A Call for Change

Urgent Appeal from Immigrant Solidarity Association

The president of the Immigrant Solidarity Association, Timóteo Macedo, revealed a concerning situation in Porto, where 800 Indian immigrants are reportedly living without the necessary documentation to work in Portugal. This statement was made during a protest in Lisbon against the country’s immigration policies.

Protest Against Discrimination

The demonstration, titled “Don’t Let Them Corner You, March”, attracted over a hundred Asian immigrants who gathered in front of the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA). They voiced their frustrations over the lack of responses from Portuguese authorities and demanded equal rights for all.

Key Messages from the Protest

Participants chanted slogans such as “Equal rights for everyone”, “We are all legal”, “No more waiting”, and “Residency for all”. Macedo criticized a recent agreement between the Portuguese government and employers for hiring workers from their home countries, labeling it as a pathway to exploitation and servitude.

Growing Concerns Among Immigrants

Macedo highlighted that many complaints have been received from immigrants hailing from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and India, who feel neglected by the Portuguese state. He emphasized that the changes in legal protocols, which removed the option for interest declarations, have severely hindered the ability of foreigners on tourist visas to attain legal status.

This protest underscores the pressing need for comprehensive reforms in Portugal's immigration system to address the rights and needs of immigrants living in the country.