Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Penalties for illegal employment should not be so harsh
Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil told the Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament that some of the sanctions being proposed against employers hiring illegal immigrants were too harsh.
"Although this proposal (to impose sanctions) is needed in order to fight the black-market of employing illegal immigrants, penalties should not be as extreme as those being suggested in the directive," Dr Busuttil told fellow MEPs during a preliminary discussion.
"Some of the sanctions are too severe, like the possibility of closing down a company caught employing illegal immigrants. This is too harsh and such treatment should be reserved for criminals," he insisted. Dr Busuttil, who is also the European People's Party's shadow rapporteur on the matter, acknowledged that the illegal employment of migrants is serving as a "pull factor" for thousands of migrants to try to enter Europe.
However, he said, the EU must make sure this is prevented as much as possible through proper surveillance and sanctions.
The Commission's proposed directive, launched last year, is intended to serve as a deterrent to the employment of illegal immigrants across the EU. Such migrants are usually exploited through low wages and bad working conditions.
All EU member states, except Cyprus, have some kind of sanctions against employing illegal workers but only 14 have provisions for prison sentences.
The implementation of penalties varies considerably among member states with some more lax than others, as a result distorting competition among companies.
According to the draft directive, the new rules will allow immigrants to file complaints against employers and demand unpaid wages.
There are between four and eight million illegal immigrants in the EU.
It is estimated that 500,000 illegal immigrants enter the EU every year.
The Commission's proposal must be supported by the majority of member states (qualified majority) and by the European Parliament before coming into force.
The European Parliament should be in a position to vote on the directive next autumn.
20 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
A. Muscat
Jul 19th 2008, 20:20
Well done Dr, Busuttil
Your only problem is that, behind you there are many peoples still do not want to understand that, the way they do politics in EU differs from the way we do politics in Mosta.
Keep it up. You dont have to bother with ignorance-driven comments.
valerie scicluna
Jul 19th 2008, 19:35
Through proper surveillance and SANCTIONS? against whom?! that's the big question. and Dr. Busuttil you aknowledged that illegal employment of ILLEGAL migrant is a pull factor so why in heaven's name have you proposed that sanctions are too harsh? what's going on?!
Charlie Mizzi
Jul 19th 2008, 18:45
Malta needs to get control of the illegal employment situation before it gets out of control. I have a company here in California and the offense for hiring illegals is $10,000 per person for first offense. In some states, second offence you loose your licence to operate. I think the sentences should be harsh to discourage illegals from coming to Malta. But the government should also stop bringing these people over and helping them to stay in Malta. They could be helped by providing food and water to them when they are 12 miles out at sea and let them continue on their way. I enjoy going back to visit Malta as much as I can, but every year it seems I have to doublecheck more and more to make sure the plane did not land in Africa. Malta cannot afford these people and needs to stop talking and start acting.
R >Fender
Jul 19th 2008, 18:11
Of course they should be allowed to work.They're here aren't day? Do you prefer them to live off the State? In any case if they keep the abuse of the Maltese workmen in check,all to the better. I.for one am fed up to the back teeth by being skinned alive by bad workmanship and high prices by the Maltese.
Malcolm Seychell
Jul 19th 2008, 16:39
Next time use your vote wisely. Such people should not be elected to represent us.
It is a pathetic statement from Dr Busuttil saying that employing illegal immigrants should not require a very harsh sentence.
As someone stated the only two persons who definetely take action when problems arise are DR Gatt and John Dalli.
Months ago I was in a debate on Bondi Plus about illegal immigration. I told Dr Busuttil that nobody will help Malta on this issue, because nobody is so stupid to take others problem.
Yet he stated that Frontex will help us to deal with the problem and that with his position it would be very important for Malta. The truth is that with frontex more and more illegal immigrants are coming, and we have also the luxury of a minister saying that he can take 2000 immigrants this year, and if needed even more.
Surely with such persons in power the invasion will continue.
Use your vote wisely. If you are not ready to change party at least put people in power who have national interest as a priority and are not simply european puppets.
D fenech
Jul 19th 2008, 16:28
It is easy and comfortable for Simon Busuttil to think in the abstract from the cosiness of Brussels. Isn't he the one who said he did not want to return to Malta nd run for PN Secretary in order not to disturb his family?
Unfortunately Simon ,we left behind are being daily disturbed both from a psychological and physical perspective.
Wrong move Simon!
Charles Camilleri
Jul 19th 2008, 15:21
Dr. Busuuttil please make up your mind. You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hound. We elected you to represent our views us in Brussels which are well known. Yes those found of providing shelter and work to illegal persons should be severely penalized. Why do you say these are not criminals ? This is one way of preventing Malta being flooded with more illegal foreigners. Are you for or against illegal immigration? If against please support all measures to stop it. No beating about the bush.
Ian Grech
Jul 19th 2008, 15:15
This IS a joke right?
L Galea
Jul 19th 2008, 14:51
@F. Camilleri
Very good idea.
Mr Prime Minister, get Dr Gatt to handle the illegal immigrants situation with the specific remit of ridding Malta of every single illegal immigrant.
I am sure that he will command the support of the vast maority of Maltese citizens.
F. Camilleri
Jul 19th 2008, 13:57
Penalties for ILLEGAL employment should be as harsh as possible. This is the only way left for our island to defend itself from being invaded by ILLEGAL immigrants.
Dr. Busuttil should have proposed that ILLEGAL immigrants SHOULD NOT be allowed to work at all.
Does Dr. Busuttil realize that now employers may be tempted to:
i. employ ILLEGAL immigrants rather than Maltese workers,
ii. reduce the Maltese workers’ wage and illegally employ ILLEGAL immigrants?
Is Dr. Busuttil defending our country as we elected him to do or betraying it ?
Is Dr. Busuttil aware that his proposal is compromising the rule of law?
Has Dr. Busuttil joined the JRS?
Entering a country ILLEGALLY with no identification documents, together with those who ILLEGALLY employ them is a criminal offence and should be treated harshly Dr. Busuttil.
Can Frontex be described as ‘proper surveillance’? The results show otherwise.
You cheated me (and many others) in fully trusting you and voting for you Dr. Busuttil.
You will DEFINITELY NOT cheat me again.
Hopefully many others will follow my example.
We need steadfast men like the Hon. Dr Austin Gatt and the Hon. Mr John Dalli to successfully deal with ILLEGAL immigration
Alan Attard
Jul 19th 2008, 13:27
Simon Busuttil evidently has not made his mind up. Is he for or against illegal immigration?
With such representation in the EU, how is Malta supposed to be taken seriously? What a shame!
Iain Sims
Jul 19th 2008, 13:22
Simon,
You really need to get a better grip on the situation with regards to the illegal immigration problem. Try to remember that the EU parliament elections are just next year. You've done some fine work, don't let us down by going soft on this most pressing of issues.
Bernard Borg
Jul 19th 2008, 12:44
I cannot understand manoeuvres that seem to increasingly protect lawbreakers at the expense of law-abiding victims. How should law and order prevail in such a scenario?
Mark Fenech
Jul 19th 2008, 11:43
Is Dr Busuttil condoning the illegal employment of illegal immigrants. What is his problem. Only those breaking the law and illegally employing these people should be worried?
Malcolm Seychell
Jul 19th 2008, 11:41
Shame on you Dr Busittil.
No wonder EU is not helping us on this issue
Those who employ illegal immigrants are criminals and employ illegal immigrants for cheap labour. It is inhuman on both immigrants who are being abused and on Maltese who lose their job for cheap labour.
I hope the PN does not agree with such statement.
M. Schembri
Jul 19th 2008, 11:21
Is Dr Busuttil trying to be funny or what?
Joe Morana
Jul 19th 2008, 11:17
In case anyone misses the point: Illegal immigrants are........lawbreakers! Anyone who in any way encourages, or aids and abets the practice of human trafficking is also a lawbreaker. Employers of illegal immigrants take advantage of a ready source of cheap labour to the detriment of bona-fide workers. Our man in Brussels wants his cake and wants to eat it too!
Tony Caruana
Jul 19th 2008, 10:56
Dr Busutill never misses an opportunity to look nice with certain quaters and then when circumstances change he does a u turn.
Remember the Hunters ?
Joanne Micallef
Jul 19th 2008, 10:53
I disagree with Dr Busuttil. Such penalties will not only safe guard fair competition between businesses but will also take away the incentive of cheap labour.
L Galea
Jul 19th 2008, 10:27
Should they be patted on the back and handled with velvet gloves Dr Busuttil?
I would suggest a minimum of 100,000 thousand euros and six months imprisonment for the employer(s) for every illegal employee that they employ.
That would be a real deterrent Dr Busuttil.