Immigration policy should Change

In a press conference in Valletta, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party reiterated its call for a revamp of Malta’s immigration policy, and expressed its support of similar calls by the United Nations Commission on Refugees, NGOs, and others.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: “The tragic incidents of these past days should serve as a clear warning that Malta needs to revamp its immigration policy. The Nationalist Government should match its rhetoric with clear action and change of policy, and the Labour opposition should abandon its cheap populist far-right rhetoric based on scaremongering, disregard of international agreement and fantasies which will never be achieved. In a normal European society, such discourse would be unacceptable from a social democratic party”.

“Detention is only causing stress, hardship and oppression. Instead, Malta should move towards a maximum six-month detention period and adopt clear policies for integration. Malta should also combat the exploitative work conditions of migrant workers, and ensure that such employment is fully regularised. Such policies help bring about cohesion and social justice, unlike the current situation which is causing massive problems.”

Robert Callus, AD spokesperson for Migration and Citizenship, said: “Government hasn’t been honest with the Maltese people and for the past 10 years has treated migration as if it was a temporary phenomenon when it knew pretty well it wasn’t. Policy was concerned only in limiting the numbers, or at least appearing to be doing so to the general public while everything else was neglected.

These policies or lack of them, unwittingly have fuelled racism. For instance while one frequently hears that we “house and feed immigrants”, many don’t realize that the main reason for this is detention policy. Most immigrants spend only a few months in Open Centres after which they “house and feed” themselves. While detained however, they have on other option.

Another case in point is the rampant exploitation at the place of work which is also creating unfair competition on Maltese workers.”

Il-Politika tal-Immigrazzjoni ghandha tinbidel

F’konferenza stampa l-Belt Valletta, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party tenniet l-messagg biex tigi riveduta il-politika tal-immigrazzjoni ta’ Malta, u esprimiet l-appogg ghas-sejhiet tal-Kummissjoni tar-Refugjati tal-Gnus Maghquda, NGOs, u ohrajn.

Michael Briguglio, Chairperson tal-AD, qal “L-incidenti tragici li graw dan l-ahhar ghandhom iservu bhala sinjali ta’ twissija li jwasslu ghal revizjoni tal-politika tal-immigrazzjoni. Il-Gvern Nazzjonalista ghandu jghaddi mir-retorika ghall-fatti billi jbiddel il-politika tieghu, u l-oppozizzjoni Laburista ghandha tabbanduna l-populizmu u r-retorika tal-lemin estrem ibbazata fuq il-biza’ u li jigu injorati l-ftehim internazzjonali u fantaziji li qatt m’huma se jigu mwettqa. F’socjeta’ Ewropea normali, dan id-diskors mhux accettabbli minn partit socjal-demokratiku.”

“Id-detenzjoni qieghda tikkawza biss stress, tbatija u oppressjoni. Minflokk, Malta trid timxi ghal detenzjoni fejn hemm bzonn biss ghal ragunijiet amministrattivi u ghal massimu ta’ sitt xhur. Malta ghandha taddotta politika cara favur l-integrazzjoni. Malta trid ukoll tiggieled il-kundizzjonijiet tax-xoghol abbuzivi tal-haddiema immigranti, u tizgura li x-xoghol ikun regolari. Din it-tip ta’ politika tghin iggib l-koezjoni u l-gustizzja socjali, bil-kontra tas-sitwazzjoni kurrenti li qed tohloq hafna problemi.”

Robert Callus, kelliem tal-AD fuq l-immigrazzjoni u cittadinanza, qal: “Il-Gvern ma kienx onest mal-poplu Malti u ghal dawn l-ahhar 10 snin ittratta l-immigrazzjoni bhala fenomenu temporanju meta kien jaf sew li ma kienx il-kaz. Il-politika kienet limitata biss fuq in-numru ta’ immigrant li dehlin f’pajjizna.”

“Din il-politika, bla ma intebhu ippromwoviet ir-razzizmu. Per ezempju meta wiehed jisma t-tgergir li ahna ‘naghtu saqaf u ikel lill-immigranti’, hafna ma jirrealizzawx li din hija minhabba il-politika ta’ detenzjoni. Il-maggoranza tal-immigranti joqoghdu biss ftit xhur fl-Open Centres fejn ikunu qeghdin jiehdu hsieb lilhom infushom. Madankollu waqt li qeghdin fid-detenzjoni, dawn m’ghandhomx ghazla ohra hlief jiddependu ghal kollox mill-istat.”

“Kaz iehor huwa l-abbuz rampanti fid-dinja tax-xoghol li qeda tohloq kompetizzjoni ingusta ma’ haddiema Maltin.”

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