Immigrants in search for work in Orihuela

LAST year, 422 people immigrated to Orihuela for work, mostly Moroccans, Ecuadorians and Bolivians.

Of these 50.24 per cent were women, according to recent data from the Vega Baja association Acoge. The majority moved to the municipality with their families, while just 37 per cent were single. Of the immigrants 97.5 per cent are literate.

“These are immigrant workers who will add to the progress of the town and we believe will stay because many of them have family in the area with resident’s permits,” said Acoge president Antonio Alfonso Sanchez.

“This data hints at the changes in immigration in the past 10 years and is important as it provides the basis for the new immigration plan,” said Welfare Councillor Emilio Zaplana. “This plan will be tailored to the needs of the group and be realistic as the former was too ambitious,” he added.