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.