Christian Peregin
Migrant workers' integration can be beneficial - GWU
The GWU is calling for a public awareness campaign to highlight the advantages that the integration of migrant workers can have on Maltese society. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
The General Workers' Union yesterday published a policy paper about migrant workers, calling for a crackdown on illegal employment and an action plan to tackle racism and ensure workers' rights.
The GWU called for a public awareness campaign to highlight the advantages that the integration of migrant workers can have on Maltese society.
"There are substantial cultural, traditional, religious and language differences between Maltese people and migrant workers; whether these are regular or irregular workers... (but) such workers, as long as they remain in Malta and are employed in a regular manner, will contribute to the economic welfare of the state... (they will) pay taxes and national insurance contributions in the same way as all other Maltese workers," the document said.
The union's general secretary, Tony Zarb said that if the exploitation of migrant workers continues, cheap labour will "rear its ugly head again" and this would be to the detriment of the Maltese workers too.
The paper says that many migrant workers are often employed in very dangerous and underpaid conditions, sometimes even in projects financed by the Maltese government.
The document, therefore, urges migrant workers to refuse unfair conditions of employment so as not to encourage negative trends that would take the Maltese workers backward and undo all the efforts of trade unions to ensure decent working conditions.
Mr Zarb called immigration a "national scourge" but emphasised that, if managed properly, it can have a positive effect on the country.
The document makes a number of practical suggestions such as heftier fines for employers who abuse of their workers and positive action through the media to raise awareness about this "human tragedy" and bridge the gap between these individuals and society in general.
The GWU promised to train its representatives and members to ensure that immigrants are integrated into the workplace properly and that safety and security breaches are reported and punished.
The document suggests that employers give the right example and those who do not should be publicly named and shamed.
The document appeals to migrant workers to organise themselves by joining trade unions to help put a stop to exploitation. In turn, trade unions should also contribute by collecting data to identify those who run a greater risk of being exploited. Trade unions should organise campaigns against racism and xenophobia.
The study says the GWU will set up a working group to investigate immigration in Malta, with a special focus on employment. The ultimate aim is to hold a national conference in the coming months and to put into place an action plan. The action plan shall stipulate how the monitoring of work permits is to take place and list the actions to be taken when employers abuse the system.
The policy paper can be downloaded from www.gwu.org.mt.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Petrol price up 6c
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
27 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Edwin Mifsud
Sep 17th 2008, 09:44
I propose that one of the migrants run for MEP, Union general secretary, or for the the local council elections.
In such a scenario the Maltese should be encouraged to vote for the migrant.
In that way
1. the Maltese would not be called racist.
2. Our leaders will get a small dose of what it's like to have your job threated by illegal migrants
3. Our leaders MIGHT get off their back side and at least say that we have a national problem.
("The American people have the right to have their borders controlled and have the right to know who comes into America and for what purpose". Barack Obama.)
a.cassar
Sep 17th 2008, 08:54
Before joining the EU we were frightened with the thought of foreign EUROPEAN workers coming over and taking our jobs!!! How things change!!!
I am expecting to see GWU officials visiting the open centres and persuading migrants to join the union in the near future..... all for their own good no doubt!
Denis Catania
Sep 17th 2008, 00:04
@J Malia: Can you tell us what union represents ILLEGAL immigrants?If you are talking legal immigrants is one thing. ILLEGALS are another thing. Stop talking this phobic stuff. The Maltese are not afraid of anybody. They weren't afraid of the Turks,Germans and these people are nothing to be afraid of. They are illegal and they are not welcomed to steal peoples jobs in Malta. The only Maltese that are afraid of anybody are the ones mentioning phobias all the time. The illegals that come with no papers, should remained detained until papers are sent to us. The 18 month clock should not start until their papers reaches the Maltese shores. If the Maltese people would listen to my speech on boycotting, on Sept 23rd 2008. You can view it on u-tube on or around Sept 24th 2008. No employer will hire these illegals. Again I'm not talking about legal immigrants in Malta. I'm talking about ILLEGAL immigrants in Malta.
L Galea
Sep 16th 2008, 22:35
@J Mallia
If the Spaniards and Italians and the rest of Europe have a problem with lack of available workers we certainly do not.
What we have is not enough work for Maltese workers, let alone for ILLEGAL immigrants.
T Vella
Sep 16th 2008, 22:26
Joe Briffa:
Not all "illegal migrants" are actually illegal. Some have gained refugee status for humanitarian reasons - this means they have certain rights, like working, sending their children to school and using Mater Dei for free. In the meantime they are paying taxes and NI. Although they arrived here illegally, their status eventually becomes legalized.
Refugees stay in Malta until they are accepted by larger countries such as Canada.
J Mallia
Sep 16th 2008, 21:56
Well this is not the first time that the unions have entertained this idea. And it most obviously makes sense. It has made sense in other countries and will make sense in Malta too.
Unfortunately some who are commenting here are immigrant-phobic and it really saddens me to read the same things from the same people everyday .
The employment of immigrants comes part-and-parcel with the sign of economy shifts. As in every other country there are always jobs that can be created, jobs that aren't anymore attractive for the local workers, and big projects that need a high number of workers.
May I point out that demographers in some European countries, starting from Italy and Spain, have long told governments that without an influx of immigrants, their economies would need to import workers from outside the EU?
So why not legislate in a way that immigrant employment be beneficial to all?
jimmy vella
Sep 16th 2008, 19:04
Where is all these jobs going to come from.? what creating an extra 2000 jobs a year for the immigrants while the Maltese sit on their fat backside incredible hot air from the GWU as usual
Charles Sammut
Sep 16th 2008, 18:17
With its traditional base fast eroding, the GWU is desperate to recruit the 21st century's "aristocracy of the workers".
a.cassar
Sep 16th 2008, 16:30
The scenario is this;
option 1. The migrants are employed cheap which is illegal
option 2. the migrants are employed at the same wage as maltese doing the same job thus depriving maltese workers of a job.
option 3. the migrants are not employed as the employer would rather give the job to a maltese since he is paying the same wage. thus, the migrant will remain unemployed and a burden on the country's coffers.
Rather than a win win situation it's a lose lose situation.
debbie bugeja
Sep 16th 2008, 16:00
how about the jobs they are taking instead of employing d the maltese?
Jeremy J Camilleri
Sep 16th 2008, 15:13
Joseph Casha plays the fool, and makes a good job of it....
I quote
'The union's general secretary, Tony Zarb said that if the exploitation of migrant workers continues, cheap labour will "rear its ugly head again" and this would be to the detriment of the Maltese workers too.'
If you had employed them and overlooked their lack of english just because you could pay them 20% of what a Maltese worker would ask, that would be expploitation, and that what is Tony Zarb is on about.
M. Tabone
Sep 16th 2008, 15:12
Shame and shame to GWU..........a union against the Maltese worker in his own country. This policy paper seems that it goes against the Maltese worker and Malta. Where is your patriotism?
David seychell
Sep 16th 2008, 15:11
If they are paid the same as the maltese workers why would the employers employ them instead of the maltese workers? Because they don't speak maltese?
If the irregular immigrants remain unemployed, the government will have to give employers some financial incentives to employ the immigrants instead of the maltese or else they would have to find some unlawful way to get some money.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Sep 16th 2008, 15:08
Cont.
Regarding enforcement, it is strange that barely any employers are caught employing these illegals, when they are very visible working on major projects, and can be seen regularly, getting picked up in trucks and shuffled off to work.
I can see them, you folks can, but the authorities cannot...
Stranger than fiction!
Jeremy J Camilleri
Sep 16th 2008, 15:07
Stephen Farrugia...its seems that you are the only one not understanding what Tony Zarb is saying.
As for Denis Catania...are you saying that you are in favour of this exploitation?
As for finding jobs...well..I never knew that was a UInion responsibility.
Sometimes you are so anti union, and then you give unions powers they never have. Strange to say the least!
The reality is there for all to see.
These people are exploited and yet boatloads come every day....A record summer folks! The Prime minister responsible is silent...so lets blame the GWU, whilst the Government after a 6 year long invasion, has not batted an eyelid.
As things stand, since these illegals do not complain when exploited, and since some employers have absolutely no morales, certain work sectors are gradually being closed off for the Maltese. So there are two real choices...Enforcement where immigrants with no permit are NOt allowed to work, and giving those with permits equal rights and equal responsibilities when they are working, and that puts Maltese on a level playing field. As things stand...Maltese are on the wrong side of the fence in our own country.
Joseph Casha
Sep 16th 2008, 14:55
I find this all quite amusing. A few months ago i published a vacancy on ETC for a maid. In a matter of hours i was greeted with at least 15 Immigrants(males), some with working permits, most without. They all had one thing in common though, They did not speak one word of english. Does tony zarb mean that if i don't employ these people my name should be published and shamed? Simply because i am looking out for the benefit of my business? The idiocy of some people in this country never seizes to amaze me.
wally vella-zarb
Sep 16th 2008, 14:22
"Over and above, the GWU, as a trade union, is aware of
employers who, using charitable motives as an excuse, employ irregular
migrant workers in the same employment as local workers, but at far lower
rates and conditions. These are issues that, for example, local entities within
the Church are aware of. However, very little is being done to address such
issues. This situation has diverse consequences, amongst which is the
exploitation of these workers so that this form of employment is a form of
cheap labor."
This was lifted from page 8 of the English version of the Policy Paper, and is the only instance where the church is mentioned.
Perhaps J.Farrugia would care to explain why he commented that this "critisism against the church is unwarranted"
joe briffa
Sep 16th 2008, 13:58
Well strange to hear from GWU but anyways,economically ILLEGAL MIGRANT workers are a burden to the economy,first of allwhy are they called illegal??? This is funny...illegal,no ID or passport or any identification,not european,but they can work legally,whats this???
Secondly why are we one of the only countries that accept people without visas including people like russian,turks and so on where we do not even have space for us??
I guess one thing,these migrants recognised this banana republic from miles away and feel like they are home
D vella
Sep 16th 2008, 13:51
care to enlighten me what the church has done for the workers J Farrugia please?
Denis Catania
Sep 16th 2008, 13:44
More members more money, Please why don't you guys find jobs for all Maltese. Why don't you replace the dockyard workers with them too. Another opportunity to profit from them. Shame on Tony Zarb.
Stephen Farrugia
Sep 16th 2008, 13:20
Tony Zarb should resign for what he said. Now.
If the workers don't understand the consequences of what he said, they should learn.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Sep 16th 2008, 12:09
In one sentence, JFarrugia makes an anti catholic statement, and then defends the church....
my oh my..this poor man must be so confused!
As to the subject concerned,immigration, thanks to the Eu blatantly refusing to help, is here to stay. We have shown, after a number of years, that we are uncapable, or unwilling to stop this flood of illegals.
WHilst it remains a huge burden on our small shoulders,allowing these migrants to work work illegaly, and allowing them to get abused by employers will only help to put Maltese workers at a disadvantage.
If they are not given equal rights on the work place, whilst the flood will continue,the only people standing to gain are some ruthless employers.
a.cassar
Sep 16th 2008, 11:48
As a trade union the GWU is looking at this problem from the financial point of view. although Mr. Zarb aknowledged the dangers arising fom;
'substantial cultural, traditional, religious and language differences between Maltese people and migrant workers'
THe gist of this policy paper seems to indicate a shift in the strategy in that it doesn't mention anywhere repatriation but emphasises integration(in the workforce) meaning that the migrants are here to stay. This is a clear message to others to risk the journey to malta. Besides it also means that these illegals will be either competing with Maltese workers if they are underpaid. on the other hand, if employers are made to pay the same wages (as it should be) for the same work they will most likely opt to employ maltese workers with the migrants ending up unemployed.
Chris Ebejer
Sep 16th 2008, 11:20
The rape of a nation continues, this time by the GWU. Instead of condemning the immigrants for their illegal landings and the hard time the Maltese worker is facing of loosing more jobs with more dogs barking for the same bone, No the GWU wants integration!
Obviously their interest is not for Maltese workers but the beneficial opportunity for immigrants to join GWU nothing less noting more!
Fabrizio Ellul
Sep 16th 2008, 11:14
what criticism against the church?
I think the GWU is making sense here.
John cassar
Sep 16th 2008, 11:08
A monetary gain for all parties concerned: the immigrant, the government and the union. Who knows the employer may even get a financial incentive for recruiting the individual. A winwin situation for all concerned. Not bad at all!
J Farrugia
Sep 16th 2008, 09:42
Yes it may be positive for the GWU moneywise. But beware. These are not Maltese citizens. And the critisism against the church is unwarranted. The church has done much more than your union ever did for the workers. So please one expects the GWU not to be the opportunist but stay in its place.