PORTUGAL: NEW RULES RECOGNIZE IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS, SCHOOLING.

by Mario de Queiroz

LISBON, Dec. 19, 2006 (IPS/GIN) -- Immigrant associations, human rights organizations and groups against racism are discreetly applauding new Portuguese government measures to encourage integration of legal immigrants. But what the activists really want is results.

The socialist administration of Prime Minister Jos Scentscrates on Monday asked activist groups for their input on policies meant to benefit the large foreign community. But the non-governmental organizations first want to see concrete improvements in the daily lives of immigrants, who are often victims of police and government red tape.

The government's plan was first communicated to the Consultative Council for Immigration Affairs (COCAI), to which the largest associations of foreign residents in the country belong, during a weekend meeting. It was publicly announced on Monday at the celebration of International Migrants' Day, established by the United Nations in 2000.

"From what I know of the document, it lacks quantitative targets, and many of its 123 measures are, quite frankly, redundant," Eduardo Tavares de Lima, president of the General Assembly of the Casa do Brasil, an association of Brazilian immigrants, told IPS. The Brazilian community of 120,000 people is the largest group of foreign residents in Portugal.