The government official took advantage of his visit on what was the fifth and final day of the official visit of Regional Director for Communities and External Cooperation Sancho Gomez to the island of Jersey, on the occasion of the Portuguese Food Festival. London, this Monday, meet with Councilor Jose Silva and talk to community members, including Matheran merchants. Brexit, consulate operation, cost of living, labor shortage in the United Kingdom were discussed in the meeting.
This afternoon, the official opening of the ‘Portuguese Food Festival’ was held at the People’s Park in Saint Helier, the capital of the island of Jersey, by João Carlos Nunes, Advisor to Madeiran Communities in the Channel Islands. Sancho Gomes, Regional Director for Communities and External Affairs Cooperation, attended in what was his first official visit to the diaspora.
“Madirons living in the United Kingdom have already overcome the hurdles of Brexit,” Sancho Gomez was quoted as saying in a press release.
On the other hand, in terms of full integration and economic contributions to the host country and region, he highlighted that “the community continues to be exemplary”.
“I have visited many Madeiran businesses in London and many of the employees are from Madeira. Madeirans really stand out for their work efficiency, entrepreneurship and creativity. They are a solid, dynamic and integrated community that brings added value to the economic structure of this host country”, said the communities. The regional director reiterated.
Sancho Gómez spoke about two other issues affecting the Madeirans: labor shortages and the cost of living in England.
“The lack of labor, a phenomenon affecting all of Europe, led the Madeiran merchants in London to make some changes, for example to close their establishments twice a week”, explained Sancho Gómez.
Regarding the cost of living, the governor heard the community was passing on. “Here in the UK our countrymen have a good average salary. However, as in the rest of Europe, the cost of living is high. Even so,” he opined, “the assessment our society makes is obviously positive.”
Regarding the Consulate of Portugal in London, Sancho Gomes noted that there is “widespread satisfaction” on the part of the community regarding the work carried out by the recently appointed consul.
“Although there is still some delay in procedures and appointments, the community is satisfied with the agility imposed by the new embassy, who has chosen to speed up procedures and open embassy doors on Saturdays”, he added.
Regarding the official visit to Jersey via London, Sancho Gómez gives a “positive assessment” because the community is “coherent, united, vigorous, enthusiastic and fully integrated, bringing added value to the host country”, “which is a real source of pride for Madeira and all Madeiras. ” he insisted.
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