Funchal City Council Urges Participation in Migrant Community Social Diagnostic Study. The Funchal City Council today appealed for participation in the social diagnostic study of Funchal, which aims to integrate the migrant community. The so-called Diagnostic Study of the Migrant Community in Funchal aims to develop effective strategies and public policies for the reception andContinue reading “Migrants: Funchal Raises Awareness for Social Diagnostic Study”
Tag Archives: immigration
What are the Madeirans gaining or losing as a result of the deep divide between them and legal immigrants?
This blog has already covered the benefits at a macro level for Portugal and Madeira. Such as strengthening a weak demographic situation due to an aging population and low birth rates. Supplementing local manpower shortages, both skilled and unskilled. Making a huge contribution to social security income, and taking comparatively little money out …. andContinue reading “What are the Madeirans gaining or losing as a result of the deep divide between them and legal immigrants?”
Immigration on the Spanish islands
This makes an interesting comparison for Madeira Island, except that here we don’t have much illegal immigration from Africa. Based on the available information, here’s a breakdown of Spanish islands with significant immigrant populations:By Population Percentage:The Balearic Islands consistently show the highest percentage of foreign-born residents. * As of January 2025, nearly 28.3% of theContinue reading “Immigration on the Spanish islands”
Costa del Sol. Spanish coast, an area of high immigration during decades.
I tried to find contacts to talk about similar situations to that of Madeira, asking about legal immigration and how it was handled both at government level, and the experiences of locals and immigrants. Some responses are relevant, yet conflicting. Some interesting reading, but little about the big questions that I need to investigate. TheContinue reading “Costa del Sol. Spanish coast, an area of high immigration during decades.”
The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. The strain that immigration is putting on government provided services. Particularly those in the health service, education, and social security.
Before any analysis of any particular government service and the response to any strain or shortfall in services, the following should be taken into account. So, in no particular order, the state provided services considered here are: A. Serviço Regional de Saúde (SRS). While immigrants do contribute significantly to the Portuguese economy and their overallContinue reading “The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. The strain that immigration is putting on government provided services. Particularly those in the health service, education, and social security.”
The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. Growing inflation for all basic needs, and in local shops and businesses.
As increasing house prices and rent were discussed in yesterday’s blog. Here is the AI response to the following question. Q1: In Madeira locals accuse immigrants of being responsible for higher inflation. Ignoring housing inflation, is there any connection between higher prices in shops and businesses due to immigration? A1: The relationship between immigration andContinue reading “The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. Growing inflation for all basic needs, and in local shops and businesses.”
The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. Housing accessibility for local people.
Starting with the main area of conflict, and my simple opinion, followed by a deeper analysis by AI. Housing and accommodation availability and pricing. A general issue in Portugal, but a more serious and very valid concern in Madeira, due to the acute shortage of existing housing stock and the constraints of building on aContinue reading “The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. Housing accessibility for local people.”
Racism in Europe
https://orda.shef.ac.uk/articles/figure/European_map_of_Implicit_Racial_Bias/4750588 This was produced by Sheffield University in England in 2017. The study and analysis methods are available from the URL above. The more red, the worse the racism is … in the simplest terms. Portugal is like a red wine stain, Madeira is likely to be even worse. Even many mainland portuguese visitors orContinue reading “Racism in Europe”
Yesterday’s election results for Portugal and Madeira Island
Starting with the national situation (AI assisted): * Democratic Alliance (AD): * Led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, the center-right AD won the election. * They secured approximately 32.7% of the vote. * They gained 89 seats in the 230-seat parliament. * This represents an increase in seats compared to the 2024 election. * SocialistContinue reading “Yesterday’s election results for Portugal and Madeira Island”
This page outlines what AI found regarding matters of immigration, emigration, free movement, and residency and other rights as defined by the Portuguese Constitution, EU law (enshrined in Portuguese law), and Schengen rights.
Not really interesting reading, but included here because this information is crucial to prove and defend the rights of those entitled to enjoy the benefits of EU membership, in other member states. These are are not the complete laws that cover individuals rights and duties, but do provide references to research further information. These willContinue reading “This page outlines what AI found regarding matters of immigration, emigration, free movement, and residency and other rights as defined by the Portuguese Constitution, EU law (enshrined in Portuguese law), and Schengen rights.”
Some newspaper clippings (translated from Portuguese) leading up the the general election on 18th May 2025
This first one is from the moderate left party Bloco de esquerda. Left Bloc in defense of immigrants criticizes Chega’s “xenophobic discourse”. In a press release, the Left Bloc candidate for the national legislative elections defends immigrants working in the Region, criticizing “the xenophobic discourse” of the Chega party candidate. “During this campaign, the LeftContinue reading “Some newspaper clippings (translated from Portuguese) leading up the the general election on 18th May 2025”
What are the impacts of the growing dissatisfaction of the Madeiran people on the immigrant population and visitors?
There is no one simple answer to this question. Aside from the problems that have always existed for those who chose Madeira to live, or just for vacations. It is different for persons in different locations, for those who try to integrate, those who learn the Portuguese language, those who watch Portuguese news or readContinue reading “What are the impacts of the growing dissatisfaction of the Madeiran people on the immigrant population and visitors?”
What is fueling the growing negative feelings against immigrants?
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 rightContinue reading “What is fueling the growing negative feelings against immigrants?”
So what is the purpose of “Healing Madeira”?
I should have started this blog years ago, at least 5 years ago, but I lived in hope that someone in a position of authority in Madeira, would foresee what would happen with growing immigration. In Portugal continental the situation is almost identical, but of course with a population of around 10 million the scaleContinue reading “So what is the purpose of “Healing Madeira”?”
Healing Madeira 