Programme for Employment and Social Integration of Female Immigrants, Puente de Vallecas (Madrid) - ES

Problem

Each year, the immigrant population grows more in Spain and immigrant women in particular have serious problems in finding work and integrating in spanish society.

The Centre for Social and Employment Orientation of Women Immigrants is in the south of Madrid in a mid to lower class socio-economic district. The rate of unemployment in the area is 7.096%. (dated 31st of October 2004) The foreign population is steadily growing. Between 2001 and 2004 10,000 local inhabitants have left and 37,000 immigrants have moved to the area.

Description

The project places itself within the range of social services (education,e quality in access to social services, and vulnerable groups) and gender equality (particularly training, access to resources, legislation, ethnic problems, social integration, safety for women and prevention of xenophobia towards immigrants.

The fundamental priorities are the employment and social integration of immigrant women in Madrid, helping with their adaptation and improving their quality of life. The aim is also to provide legal assessment to women in cases of family regrouping, processing of legal paperwork, domestic violence, divorce, return to country of origin etc. As needed of change and evolve due to social development, these objectives are revised at least three times throughout the year.

Approach

Personal treatment and detailed analysis of personal, family and social conditions are vital to resolving the difficulties that these women may find in the search for employment.

With this approach each case involves different steps according to the problems and needs of each person. Some of the activities include training courses, Spanish classes, accompanied job searches, solution of legal problems that may impede employment etc.

Each participant is monitored and the results of the assistance during the programme are assessed.

Results

The following is a selection of statistics from 2007:

• Number of women enlisted in the programme: 2061
• Number of collaborating companies: 35
• Number of secondary actions: 150 (soup kitchens, Red Cross, Social Services,etc.)
• Number of legal cases attended to: 415 (community controls, visas for Bulgarian and Romanian women, family regroupings, regularization of children, residencies, divorces, restraining orders, renewals of work visas, voluntaryr eturns etc.)
• Number of work vacancies found: 1197

Learning experiences

Results show that many women who attend the centre just looking for work need more: legal assessment because of domestic violence, abuse, exploitation or lack of papers. Each applicant must be interviewed to assess her employment, legala nd family situation so as to assist her integration.

Resources

The centre was created with the support of the Confederation and the initialg rant from the Ministry of Work and Social Services. It employs a solicitor who is specialized in labour laws and other specialized staff such as team members of Social Integration and Employment Integration. Various interns also collaborate with the centre.

Financing

The programme has received the financial support of Madrid City Council, the regional government of Madrid and the Ministry of Work and Social Services.

• 2008. Total Budget of €97,247.81 (Madrid City Council €10,000, Regional Government €87,247.81)
• 2007. Total Budget of €66,066 (Madrid City Council €10,000, Regional Government €56,066)
• 2006. Total Budget of €36,754 (Madrid City Council €10,000, Regional Government €26,754)
• 2005. Total Budget of €115,000 (Madrid City Council €10,000, Regional Government €20,000 Ministry of Work and Social Services €85,000)

Cities

Puente de Vallecas, Madrid.

Document type

practice