Call for efforts to integrate illegal migrants

The problem of illegal immigration will exist for at least another generation, according to a report written by the Today Public Policy Institute.

"If we continue tackling it in a disjointed manner, it is a recipe for disaster. We have to come to terms with the situation we are in and become more serious and organised in our approach," Stephen Calleya, one of the main authors, says in the document.

The report develops an analysis that is premised on Malta's particular circumstances as one of the most densely-populated countries in the world, where the socio-economic impact of immigration cannot be underestimated.

It estimates that the present population of immigrants who are not in detention centres hovers at about 4,000, contrary to popular notions of a far larger figure.

The study proposes to tackle immigration holistically through concrete solutions, especially when it comes to integration, tackling racism and xenophobia and the strengthening of resources.

It also gives the authorities advice on what sort of foreign policy they should adopt with a special focus on diplomacy to increase burden-sharing and improving the relationships with Libya and Italy.

The report, which was presented to the Prime Minister yesterday, emphasises the need for a clear integration policy to prevent exclusion and the spread of ghettos.

The authors lament the lack of comprehensive and reliable statistics, especially of what is happening to those immigrants who leave open centres.

"If there is one lesson to be learnt from the experiences of older immigrant countries, it is that neglecting integration will come at a severe cost," the report says.

The think tank called for a revamp of the open and detention centres, including the creation of a new 1,000-bed open centre and another detention centre to cater for 250 detainees.

The report points out that the tents at Ħal Far are not cost-effective because they have to be replaced each year. It proposes that they should be replaced with permanent and safer structures.

The authors stopped short of calling for the setting up of an Immigration Ministry but said there needs to be more coordination between the various ministries dealing with this issue.

Integration must begin in detention, where asylum seekers should receive at least English lessons and preparation for life in Malta.

At present the open and detention centres are overcrowded, depressing and have inadequate toilet and cooking facilities, the report says.

The daily allowance given to migrants in open centres should be revised so it does not institutionalise living in the centres but instead encourages migrants to improve their skills and seek work.

The report calls for more investment in detention services, including an increase in staff that would improve security for personnel.

Interestingly, the report also delves into the encounters between migrants and fishermen on the high seas. In June 2008, a group of immigrants had made the international headlines when they were left hanging on to a tuna pen by fishermen who were worried about the financial implications of rescuing them. The report says that, in such cases, fishermen who help rescue immigrants should be given compensation for the days of lost work.

Turning to the reaction to the migrant arrivals, the report calls for a comprehensive campaign to tackle growing sentiments of racism and xenophobia.

On the EU front, the institute urges Malta to continue lobbying for burden-sharing and for a revision of the Dublin Convention, which ensures that asylum seekers remain in the country of arrival until their application is processed.

The report calls for the strengthening of Frontex, especially through more coordination with Libya. Frontex, it says, has been successful in the Canary Islands due to the involvement of all interested countries. The authors suggest that Libya be given some form of compensation for helping out in order to create an incentive.

They also call for more voluntary assisted return programmes, arguing that it is more cost-effective to help immigrants reintegrate into their own countries than to accommodate them here.

Finally, the authors feel there was a need to tackle the problem holistically through more aid and development in Africa. They call on the Maltese authorities to put more pressure on the EU to give structural assistance to developing countries.

The Today Public Policy Institute is an independent organisation which aims to promote wide understanding of strategic issues of national importance and implementation of public policies.

Facts and figures

• There were about 11,500 arrivals between 2002 and September 2008. Relative to population size, this would equate to about 1.72 million arriving in France or the UK and 1.6 million in Italy.

• Besides the 2,000 people in detention, there are about 4,000 living in Malta in open centres or in the community.

• Malta's total foreign-born population is about 2.7 per cent, a very small figure compared with other European countries where this ranges between seven and 15 per cent.

• Between 2006 and 2007 about 1,800 illegal immigrants arrived but the numbers for 2008 will probably exceed 2,500.

• The detention centre's maximum capacity is 1,817 but at the end of September this was already overcrowded with 2,000 residents. The Ħal Far and Marsa open centres were designed to take 600 and 500 immigrants respectively but they hold about 850 and 750.

• There are thought to be 1,400 immigrants living outside open and detention centres but no track is kept of immigrants who leave the centres.

• Malta is the only EU country which puts all irregular migrants in detention as soon as they set foot on the island.

• Nearly all - 98 per cent - of young immigrants in Malta are not exposed to any formal learning.

• According to the Maltese government, at least 600 immigrants drown in the Mediterranean every year, with the real figure probably being much higher.

cperegin@timesofmalta.com