Ecuador Rejects New EU Bill
On Illegal Immigrants
Quito - The Ecuadoran government has
voiced its opposition to an EU decision to punish employers who hire
undocumented immigrants.
The "sanctions directive," which has been approved by the European
parliament in a bid to curb illegal immigration to the continent,
will have a negative impact on immigrants, the Ecuadoran Foreign
Ministry said.
The undocumented immigrants will face deteriorating working
conditions and more exploitation if their potential employers face
higher risks by hiring them, the ministry said.
The bill aims to force the return of undocumented immigrants by
eliminating their job opportunities, the ministry said, adding that
the EU law infringes on the fundamental rights of the immigrants.
Ecuador is against the trafficking of humans while seeking to
prevent undocumented immigrants falling victim to exploitation, the
ministry said in a communique.
Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Fander Falconi said he has ordered the
country's diplomats in EU countries to reaffirm their rejection and
express deep concern over the new bill.
Regional organizations including the Union of South American Nations
(Unasur) and the Rio Group also urged the EU governments to start a
"comprehensive and structured dialogue" on the issue, local media
said.
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