Circular Migration between Spain and Morocco: Something more than agricultural work?

The METOIKOS Research Project. Circular migration patterns in Southern and Central Eastern Europe: Challenges and opportunities for migrants and policy makersCircular migration between Morocco and Spain is currently restricted to a very narrow labour niche, the temporary agricultural work. Despite the geographical proximity between the two countries and the large number of Moroccan immigrants on Spanish soil, circular migration characterises only a minimal part of the migratory phenomenon. Other forms of circularity found in close and similar countries also related with Morocco, as Italy, are not present in Spain due to a variety of geographical and institutional reasons. The short periods Moroccan circular migrants spend in Spain and the low qualification of their jobs result in a small effect on development on origin. The report presents proposals to enlarge the scope of circular migration and open it to more qualified jobs.METOIKOS (2009-2011) is funded by the European Commission, European Integration Fund for Third Country Nationals, Community Actions 2008 (Grant Agreement no: JLS/2008/EIFX/CA/1007). Coordinator: Prof. Anna Triandafyllidou, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute