I will start by listing the main factors in the overall increasing dissatisfaction of the Madeiran people. Most of these have been highlighted in the local press, particularly during the current election campaign to elect a national government (that ends in elections on Sunday 18th May). Most have been campaign highlights of the extreme right party ‘Chega’ by the candidate Fransisco Gomes.
- Housing and accommodation availability and pricing. Both purchasing pricing and rental costs have escalated hugely over the last 10 years. Combined with the generally low incomes of the Madeiran population, the situation is very complicated. I have have spent some time today researching the subject history and future prospects, and it is the outcome of several market factors, including higher immigrant purchasing power. This is a clear number one on the list, and I will return at a later date to provide more background.
- Growing inflation for all basic needs, and almost all other areas, including construction costs for new accommodation.
- The strain that immigration is putting on government provided services. Particularly those in the health service, education, and social security.
- The employment of immigrants in precious jobs opportunities. This allegedly leading to increasing emigration of Madeirans to find work away from home. Also there is a wide perception that high immigration puts a downward pressure on wage structures for local people.
- The impact of immigration (and growing tourism) on the environment and way of life.
- Increasing levels of crime, and more serious crime problems, such as drug trafficking.
- The attempts of immigrants to impose their own culture and traditions on the the island, interfering with and spoiling those that have existed during decades or centuries.
There are more, but these are the ones that I intend to discuss in future blogs.
Healing Madeira 