Spain will offer unemployed immigrant workers financial incentives to return to their countries of origin

A slowing economy has halted Spain's construction boom and building sites are laying off workers, including many from Latin America, North Africa and Eastern Europe. Labor and immigration minister Celestino Corbacho said workers who agree to return will be entitled to receive accumulated unemployment benefits in two lump sums, provided they take their families with them and commit not to return to Spain for at least three years. Corbacho estimated the incentives to be offered as of would affect 1 million workers and their families. Immigrants account for about 10% of Spain's population, up from nominal levels in the early 1990s.