More than 2,800 work visas have been issued by IOM's mission in
Ecuador and the technical selection unit of the Foreign Affairs
Ministry to applicants selected for work in Spain as part of a
labour migration programme between the two countries.

The unit, created in 2002 following an agreement with the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, receives employment offers from
Spanish companies then searches a vast database of potential
candidates for the right person. This is done at no cost to the
applicants.

The selection process includes psychological, technical, and
professional tests, as well as face-to-face and teleconference
interviews.  The selected candidates are given an employment
contract, a work visa, and are guaranteed full rights under Spain's
social security system.

The unit reports that the demand for agricultural workers is
highest, accounting for 21 per cent of the vacancies. Some 18 per
cent of the vacancies are for the hospitality sector, followed by
requests for sales and retail workers and then janitorial and
domestic service. About one third of vacancies are for the
construction sector, drivers, electricians, metal workers, and
meat-packing employees.

"There are some 500,000 Ecuadorians living in Spain, and 170,000
are estimated to be irregular migrants," explained Alejandro Guidi,
IOM's Chief of Mission in Ecuador.  "This is why IOM is
offering its expertise and technical assistance to the Ecuadorian
government so that labour migration between the two countries can
take place in orderly and humane conditions."

The unit expects to fill between 700 and 1,000 vacancies in
2007.

For more information, visit the website "paragraph-link-no-underline" href="http://www.mmrree.gov.ec"
target="_blank" title="">www.mmrree.gov.ec Unidad
Técnica de Selección, or contact:

Maria Isabel Moncayo

IOM Ecuador

E-mail: "mailto:mmoncayo@oim.org.ec">mmoncayo@oim.org.ec