ABSTRACT
Portugal’s importation of unskilled labour from the former African colonies during years is thus mainly thought to be a substitute for Portuguese nationals who have emigrated. In connection with accession to Schengen agreement, Portugal passed new legislation regarding the issuing of residence and labour permits. Denmark began to import foreign labour later after World War II than most other countries in Central and Northern Europe. “Migration News” reports many examples of Dutch construction companies establishing branches in Portugal and then collaborating with German companies to supply labour. In England and Portugal it is comparatively easy to be registered as self-employed, and it is a well-known fact that many English construction workers travelled to Germany where they work officially as self-employed, but in reality work as though they were employed in a firm. The director estimated that laying out had resulted in a doubling of the number of administrative staff at home, besides creating jobs in Portugal for Danes in management.
