Moroccan immigrants' claims are reasonable, Spanish official says

Spanish Agriculture and Fishery Minister Jesus Posada, said Monday that the claims made by Moroccans settled in El Egido are very reasonable.

The Moroccans settled in El Egido, an Andalusian locality near Almeria, were prey last week to vandalism acts in retaliation for the murder of a Spanish woman, allegedly by a mentally-disturbed Moroccan. Some 52 Moroccans were seriously injured and 17 arrested during the clashes.

Following the events, the 5,860 Moroccan immigrants who mainly work in greenhouses went on strike. They resumed work Monday after an agreement was reached with trade unions and Spanish agricultural professional associations that all their claims will be met. The Spanish side has up to February 25 to fulfill these claims, otherwise Moroccan workers will again go on strike.

It is reasonable that the immigrants claim compensation for the damage they underwent and regularization of their situation, Posada told EFE.

The Spanish official who described the El Egido incidents as "deplorable," welcomed the resumption of work by Moroccan immigrants.