ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book assesses the validity of neo-classical and structuralist ideas on immigrant labour market incorporation. Southern Europe is increasingly attracting new labour immigrants from less developed countries. Even if literature is nowadays paying more attention to this trend, research on Southern Europe immigration have mainly focused on statistical accounts, with few theoretical insights. A more arguable point is that local circumstances help break the barrier between the primary and secondary segments of labour markets for African workers. The Portuguese experience might give insight on future developments in female labour immigration in Spain, especially if social ties between North Africa and Spain strengthen. The book examines hypotheses from main theoretical lines in labour economics. It highlights differences in two proximate geographical settings. The book concludes segmentation theory explains African labour outcomes in Spain, but only gives partial explanation to the same phenomenon in Portugal.
