Guestworkers Programs in Uncertain Times. Economic Crisis and Seasonal Labour Mobility Schemes in Spain

Since the 1970’s, the global economy has been characterized by liberalization of trade and capital, but also by transnational movements of people. Recruitment of migrant workers has become popular in states facing the ever-changing nature of labour workers. Temporary labour migration has become an attractive resource in several low paid jobs within the agricultural, service and construction sectors. Accordingly, there has been a growth in temporary migrant worker programs in several countries in Asia, Europe, and North America. New immigration countries, such as Spain, implemented also TWP during the economic boom in the 2000´s.

 In this paper we aim to shed light into the process of policy-making and implementation of these programs in the Spanish agri-food industry during the last decade focusing on three dimensions: a) country selection and recruitment process, b) recognition of rights and transitions to permanent migration and c), actors and multilevel governance.

The final part of the article focuses on the impact of the economic crisis on the implementation of these programs since 2008 and its prospects in these new uncertain circumstances