Rescue boats carrying 630 migrants refused entry in Italy begin arriving in Spain
The 630 Migrants whose rescue sparked a major migration row in Europe began disembarking in Spain, after a turbulent week that saw Italy turn away the Aquarius ship.
The first of three ships transporting the group, an Italian coast guard vessel called the Datillo, pulled into Valencia harbour just before 6:30 am with 274 migrants on board, according to the Red Cross.
Applause could be heard coming from the ship as it docked.
Medical staff wearing white overalls, gloves and masks then boarded the boat to carry out first medical checks as a police helicopter flew overhead.
The migrants, mainly from Africa, will be welcomed by a team of more than 2,000 people, including 1,000 Red Cross volunteers and 470 translators.
Smuggled ‘Aquarius migrants’ to receive 495 euros of welfare every month in Spain
The 629 migrants smuggled by the French NGO SOS Mediterranée from waters off the coast of Libya on Saturday will, once they arrive in Spain, potentially receive a monthly welfare payment of 495 euros.
The new welfare program known as ‘minimum social inclusion’ was adopted by the autonomous Valencia’s community.
To be eligible for the program, individuals must be considered to be in a “social emergency” and must register to a municipality near Valencia. No age is required to be eligible for the program.
Furthermore, individuals are not required to search for work in order to receive this payment, which is more than twice the minimum wage in Morocco, the country with the highest minimum wage in Africa (210 euros).
In addition, if beneficiaries fall ill 3 months after their arrival, they will receive a ‘universal health card’ which will grant them access to free healthcare.
I hope the welfare payment of 495 euros a month will be enough for the migrants. It is more than they get in Italy.