Nestor Laiviera
MPs petitioned to act on illegal immigration
Azzjoni Nazzjonali and the Campaign for National Independence yesterday launched a petition to push MPs to take concrete steps to stop illegal immigration into Malta.
At a meeting organised by CNI, to highlight the problems of illegal immigration, AN leader Josie Muscat said the time had come for concrete action to address the situation.
"If we are not tough, the day will come when the country will contain two very different and culturally conflicting populations," something, Dr Muscat insisted, Malta had no space for.
Describing the EU immigration pact which the government recently signed as a "missed golden opportunity", Dr Muscat said he was prepared to back any initiative that would address the problem of illegal immigration effectively.
He urged the government to adopt a proposal which was outlined in AN's electoral programme. This pushed for the regulation of illegal immigrant employment, which in turn would safeguard illegal immigrants from abusive, inhuman and illegal working conditions while ensuring they were paid the legal minimum wage and that taxes were deducted from that income.
During the meeting, CNI chairman Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici said that all that had been done so far to supposedly curb illegal immigration, such as the Frontex initiatives and the immigration burden-sharing pact, had only served to encourage it.
What Malta needs, he insisted, was to simply stop accepting illegal immigrants which it did not need and which would only be a burden to the country. However, he underlined that he was not simply referring to north-African immigrants but that illegal immigration from any country had to be curbed.
"We have no space for illegal immigrants, even if they come from heaven," he maintained.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici said CNI was not suggesting that Malta turns its back on those who need help, urging the people to recognise their duty to help those in need by every means possible.
However, this was not best achieved by integrating immigrants but by providing assistance to the countries they were fleeing from, he said.
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Wayne Hewitt
Dec 9th 2008, 11:47
@ M. Mercieca
If the person is a LEGAL migrant he would have already been vetted by maltese authorities, hence the person aptitude to integrate in our culture, before entering.
Are you suggesting that you are in favour of massive ILLEGAL, UNCONTROLLED immigration as it is happening right now?
M. Mercieca
Dec 7th 2008, 19:05
@ Alexander Morana
I am not to criticize or to defend immigrants (legal or illegal), far from that.
My question is simple, is the legal status of a person has any influence (positive or negative) with the hosting country’s culture? If it does I would like to know how?. Thank you
lgalea
Dec 7th 2008, 09:40
M. Mercieca
Investors do not = residents, whether legal or illegal.
Charles Sammut
Dec 7th 2008, 08:50
@ M Mercieca
Your question is naive to say the least. It is unrealistic and in any case the answer would still be "NO".
The nation of Malta and her people are not for sale or to rent. There is no price that can be applied to our country. We have surrendered too much already.
Now, if you like Africa so much, I am sure that you will be welcomed with open arms in Zimbabwe. You can probably make some form of contribution to them in their hour of need. But be careful that your contribution will not be your own life. Foolhardiness is never welcome, not even in heaven.
Charles P Cilia
Dec 7th 2008, 01:35
The easiest and certainly cheaper way out to solve the illegal migrant problem is for Malta to intercept them at sea, exchange their leaking boat with a bigger and safer one loaded with fuel and provisions and send them on their way. It is a humane solution at a small one time cost with no further repercussions of any sort. Besides, according to their comments their ultimate destination is never Malta so they should be more than grateful.
Presently the Government is giving away Euro 5,000 to each illegal migrant who decides to return back to his/her country. The magic capacity of their boats stands at 27 heads, which when multiplied by 5,000 comes to 135,000 Euros. Imagine the money we will save from our taxes. Furthermore, we could, if we still had Bahhar u Sewwi, fix their leaking boats and recycle them fully refurbished and equipped AT SEA with the next boatload. of illegals If one lets his imagination run wild, there is nothing to stop some Maltese entrepreneur to obtain some EU fund to finance the whole operation. The EU might even then do away with FRONTEX altogether and also save money……what a happy ending !!!
Alexander Morana
Dec 6th 2008, 21:11
@Mr. Mercieca your type of cynicism will not help neither Josie Mucast, Dr. KMB or our leaders to even contemplate of tackling the issue least we Maltese will ever see the end of this invasion.
So please let us show some support to these gentlemen and our Politicians when they best need it.
United we stand, we should all be behind any person who voice their ideas and give their efforts in this matter.
John Borg
Dec 6th 2008, 21:04
Malcolm Seychell: are you really happy that your leader wants to give jobs to illegal immigrants? Haven't you been saying that such measures only encourage more illegal immigration?
M. Mercieca
Dec 6th 2008, 20:10
@ Dr. J. Muscat
"If we are not tough, the day will come when the country will contain two very different and culturally conflicting populations," something, Dr Muscat insisted, Malta had no space for.’’
Carefully worded by Dr. Muscat. The core remains unanswered – if we replace the amount of irregular immigrants we currently have with legal African immigrants that would come to Malta as investors? Will this be okay in terms of culture and population consistent?
malcolm seychell
Dec 6th 2008, 19:19
@ P Debono.
Same here. I am not a socialist, but KMB is very right on this one, and on many other issue.
At least you have to give it to the man, he is consistent unlike many other politicians.
Both Josie Muscat and KMB do not need this trouble, but they are doing it for the country against all odds.
P Debono
Dec 6th 2008, 13:21
I never knew the time would come when I would agree with Josie Muscat and KMB. But sadly, they're right and we have to stop this invasion from spreading.