The Jesuit Refugee Service Portugal (JRS) welcomed in early November the Portuguese government's decision to extend the temporary regularisation of migrants until March 31, 2021 and - following the recommendation made by JRS in March 2020 - to include migrants with requests for regularisation submitted after the declaration date of the State of Emergency (March 18, 2020).

These extraordinary measures will have a significant impact on the lives of migrants seeking an opportunity in Portugal to rebuild their lives in a dignified manner, but also on the national economic recovery, given the significant contributions of foreign citizens to the Portuguese state. The JRS recalls that in 2019 they reached a net positive balance of 750 million euros, contributing to the sustainability of Social Security.

However, the Jesuit Refugee Service questions why foreign citizens are only allowed to live regularly, with full rights, on a temporary basis. People arriving in Portugal should have the opportunity to contribute to our community and consequently have full labour rights, access to the NHS and social benefits in return for their work, thus ensuring their integration into Portuguese society. Not only during the current pandemic, but always.

In this sense, the JRS appeals to the Portuguese Government to consecrate definitively the access to essential rights for people with pending regularisation processes.