Portugal's Accession to the EEC and Migration Balance

Abstract

Many migrants from portugal would return if the economic situation were more favorable. Portuguese policy has favored exporting labor to solve the unemployment problems the problem of handling 250000 return migrants from Angola and a lack of occupational training programs. Remittances also become very helpful. Large scale return migration to Portugal currently would be a catastrophe. Membership in the European Economic Community (EEC) would favor the out-migration balance but economic development remains a pre-condition of EEC membership. In 1980 26.7% of the labor force still worked in agriculture but only 12% of the gross national product comes from agriculture. Joining the EEC immediately would cause food price to rise by 20-30%. Regional disparities in development are partly to blame for the economys inefficiency as are the large numbers of returnees from Angola. Which represent 6% of the population. Large-scale return migration would lower the flow of remittances which are necessary as foreign exchange for importing food. Portugal will esperience 3 phases before being able to join the EEC: 1) phase 1 where out-migration averages 20000 a year and return migration does not increase; 2) phase 2 where the economy develops for another 7 years; and 3) the 3rd phase where Portugal enjoys full membership in the EEC possibly in 1991. The primary problem for Portugal in joining the EEC is the imbalance in economic development between Europe and Portugal; this problem will not be solved until Portugal joins the EEC. MOst return migration to Portugal now occurs because of retirement or meeting a set goal. Reintegration into the Portugese labor force usually means 1) establishing a small firm often in construction; 2) resuming agricultural work after buying land; or 3) entering the service sector especially in food. Attracting return migration will help to upgrade the labor force and aid economic development in preparation for joining the EEC.