The economic crisis and immigration: Romanian citizens in the ceramic tile district of Castelló (Spain)

Abstract

Between 2001 and 2007 an exceptional number of immigrants arrived in the province of Castelló (Spain), the majority of whom were from Romania, attracted by the plentiful employment prospects offered by a model of production based on the intensive labour requirements of the ceramic tile and construction industries. The effects of the international economic crisis have been particularly serious in the area of Castelló, where employment has fallen by 20% in just three years. Immigrations flows from Romania have fallen, while the number of those leaving has increased, and migration plans have been modified although the size of the immigrant stock has not fallen significantly due to continued family reunification. The differential between the Spanish and Romanian welfare states, the degree of adaptation in the host society and the strategies developed by the immigrant population explain why returning migrant numbers remain moderate and migratory circulation has increased.