Municipality/Region

Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Summary

In the light of the results of a local survey on migration, the municipality of Viana do Castelo, Portugal has implemented numerous measures to promote the labour market integration of migrants.

Areas of integration covered by practice

Integration of migrants in the labour market

Background and purpose

The purpose of the practice is to improve the integration of migrants into the host community and the labour market, as employment is key to integration. These efforts will also be a way of helping migrants to settle in the municipality.

Timeframe

This initiative does not have a fixed timeframe. Relevant informational sessions, which began in 2014, are held in agreement with the persons interested. The sessions are conducted throughout the year, catering to actual needs. Since migration into Viana do Castelo is continuing to increase, this means that the sessions are organised continuously.

How does it work?

Measures that the municipality has implemented include:

• Classes for learning and perfecting knowledge of the Portuguese language
• Information sessions for all migrants on their rights and obligations in the workplace
• Explanatory and informational sessions for entrepreneurs in the municipality on the benefits of integrating migrants into local firms, as well as on the relevant rules and requirements
• Information sessions on entrepreneurship for migrants
• Brochures in different languages on rights and obligations in the workplace and on entrepreneurship, available to all migrants
• Awarding of contracts to training firms to provide courses in areas of interest with a view to promoting integration in the labour market
• Publicising training courses offered by the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) to promote integration in the labour market
• Informing about recruitment agencies in the municipality for registration and future integration in the labour market

Stakeholders in these efforts include the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), the Authority for Working Conditions (ACT), the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF), local employers, training firms, temporary recruitment agencies and the Business Association of Viana do Castelo (AEVC).

The municipality contacts the partner institutions (IEFP, AEVC, ACT) to organise explanatory and information sessions, awards contracts to provide relevant training courses, publicises actions among migrant communities, promotes the various initiatives, directs migrants to recruitment agencies and provides technical experts to accompany and support migrants

Results and evaluation

In the last two years, eleven migrants have been integrated into the labour market with the support of the municipality. Given the profiles of the migrants concerned (asylum seekers and people benefiting from subsidiary protection), the municipality considers the results to be very positive.

Funding

The practice is financed by the municipality and also benefited from a grant for the translation of brochures and for specialised training in the amount of € 3,500.

Further information

Municipality of Viana do Castelo