Busuttil moves amendments to EU law on employment of migrants
MEP Simon Busuttil has tabled a set of 30 amendments to a new European law intended to combat the illegal employment of immigrants.
The law is set to introduce tougher penalties for employers who recruit irregular immigrants who do not have a right to work in the EU. Dr Busuttil is the main negotiator of the EPP-ED group on this law.
Dr Busuttil said that while there was likely to be wide consensus on this law in the European Parliament, certain changes to the proposal were necessary to keep it focused on its real objective of combating illegal work.
The issue which is causing most controversy is the European Commission’s proposal that, in certain cases, immigrants who have been employed illegally would be able to benefit from a temporary residence permit rather than be repatriated immediately.
The Commission proposal is backed by the Socialist MEPs but opposed by the EPP-ED group. "Illegal work cannot be rewarded with residence permits. Otherwise we risk opening up a window for regularising irregular immigration instead of deterring it." Dr Busuttil said.
The law envisages tough sanctions for employers who employ immigrants illegally, including fines, disqualification from public tenders and the recovery of EU funds. In the most serious cases criminal penalties would also be imposed.
Illegal work is often concentrated in the construction, agriculture, cleaning and the hotel and catering sectors.
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V Fenech
Sep 25th 2008, 11:39
@ Manuel Bartolo
If there is anyone whose talk is equivalent to zilch that is you. Pls take off your blue "qiegh ta' flixkun" spectacles and read by yourself:
http://www.josephmuscat.com/pages/pgaug07/info_t.asp?id=22
Last time I heard someone praising Dr. Muscat, I was having a drink at a Nationalists club. The barman himself stated:
"Jien Nazzjonalist daqskom darba ohra u li hu hu trid tghid. Ammettu: fejn habbat gab u fuq ghalhekk nammirah."
What the barman has forgot to say is that Joseph Muscat has so much become dominant in the Maltese political arena that he's revealing Gonzi's and the PN true character!! This creates panic and confusion in the PN, and results into silly comments like that of Mr.Bartolo.
A.Gauci
Sep 25th 2008, 09:05
@ Manuel Bartolo
I have also checked their profiles! It stated clearly, that SimonBusuttil, who is highly regarded in Malta as the ´EU expert´, hasn´t yet finished one single report despite being in the European Parliament for 4 years. On the contrary, Joseph Muscat concluded 2 reports, 4 opinions plus the rest! can´t you even read black on white! poor you!!!!!!!
Manuel Bartolo
Sep 24th 2008, 23:13
Thanks R. Camilleri.
I did. Results:
SIMON BUSUTTIL:
1. European Parliament rapporteur on Common Immigration Policy;
2. Proposal for an Intra-EU solidarity mechanism, putting in place the burden sharing in practice;
3. Liberties Committee Rapporteur on Ilegal employment for illegally staying third country nationals;
4. Through and amendment, doubled the funding for more effective FRONTEX patrols in the Mediterranean;
5. Main EPP-ED spokesman on the subject
JOSEPH MUSCAT
A couple of plenary speeches equivalent to ZILCH!!!
....
V Fenech
Sep 24th 2008, 20:34
Finally we're seeing something from Busuttil other than the usual excuses to hunters for not allowing hunting despite all his promises!!!
Joseph Muscat has overrun Busuttil in the EP and this is shown by true facts. During this five-year period Muscat was leader of delegation and I think it very stupid when thinking that being there, he was simply warming the seat.
When are we going to leave out partisanship in such matters??????
R. Camilleri
Sep 24th 2008, 18:00
@ Manuel Bartolo
Just check for yourself all our MEPs` work in the European Parliament:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/public/yourMep.do;jsessionid=0BF6462125961C62505C5742983E0D6B.node1?language=EN
The facts speak for themselves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Manuel Bartolo
Sep 24th 2008, 17:23
With all due respect to Mr. Azzopardi, I really and truly cannot see his point. Partisan politics aside, the facts speak for themselves.
Today is the last day of Joseph Muscat' in the European Parliament.
Compared to Simon Busuttil's efforts in the European Parlaiment on illegal immigration, Joseph Muscat is a non-starter!!!
Claude Azzopardi
Sep 24th 2008, 16:26
Come on R.Agius. Do you honestly think that someone is going to believe you on this?! Joseph Muscat was one of our most effective MEPs in Brussels. Simon Busuttil and himself have done a done a good job. Just look on the MEP profiles in the EP website to see who really worked for the country. Stop the partisan jibberish.
R Agius
Sep 24th 2008, 14:05
That is what I call ACTION! Simon Busuttil has used his position and influence to put forward constructive measures aimed at minimizing the impact of illegal immigration. He is practicing what he has been preaching and has stuck out his neck to make a difference. He is representing us where it matters and not complaining about the problem like everyone else seems to be doing. Dr Busuttil you do us proud!
This contrasts wildly with Joseph Muscat, who, up to now has been in exactly the same position as an MEP and who's contribution to the problem has been to a) label it a 'national crisis' about which he has done nothing and b) called on the Govt to 'be tough with the EU'. Fat lot of good having him warm a seat in Brussels has done to solve the 'national crisis'.
Moreover Joe Muscat has gone on record as saying "be tough because that is what we would have done if we were in the PN's position". More words and no action.
The difference is stark - one is about action and the other is all about popularity.