Many new arrivals are well educated

Like the thousands of workers from Portugal's former colonies who preceded them, the new arrivals - many highly educated but earning a pittance in their home economies - were unmolested by the authorities but exploited by employers.

As their numbers swelled and abuses became more flagrant, the government was obliged to act.

It passed a law under which foreigners working in Portugal illegally could gain a one year permit renewable for up to five years.

Since that took effect in January, 89,000 immigrants have taken advantage of the scheme.

Fully 35% are from the Ukraine, followed by Brazil with 19%, then Moldova and Romania.

Latin language

Officials speculate that one reason so many are from these last two countries is that Romanian is a Latin language like Portuguese. The Ukrainians come mainly from areas bordering Romania.

The new law also calls for regular reports on Portugal's labour needs.

The first found that 80,000 jobs must be filled this year, mainly in construction, tourism and agriculture, more than 20,000 by immigrants.

So far the process has been uncontroversial with a string of sympathetic stories in the media about newcomers finding their feet or contending with dastardly bosses.

So long as key industries are crying out for labour the welcome is likely to remain warm.