
Friday, 13th February 2009 - 15:32CET
Nine immigrants return home voluntarily
Three of the nine Sudanese who left Malta this afternoon. Photo: Jason Borg.
Nine Sudanese immigrants were this afternoon voluntarily repatriated to their homeland hoping for a better future.
The nine men were given €5,000 when they chose to be part of the scheme, which is the second phase of the DAR project, that is co-funded by the EU.
They are the first group of immigrants to join the second phase of the voluntary repatriation scheme that is expected to repatriate 37 people by the end of this month. They are from Ghana (17), Sudan (10), Nigeria (seven) and Senegal (three).
During last year’s first phase, 75 immigrants chose to return to their homeland, settle down and set up their own businesses.
In a report presented to the European Commission earlier this week, MEP Simon Busuttil emphasised the importance the EU should give repatriation programs such as DAR. In fact more funds have been allocated from the EU in this regard.







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Comments
To start with, I am all for accommodating genuine refugees, but these are few and far between...no wonder most of them try to fool the authorities that they are from Somalia or Eritrea (from where the majority of genuine refugees eminate).
Did anybody note the Burberry scarves at least two of these guys sported? (As T Lombardi correctly spotted , and as PBS showed in their coverage in the news).
For those who don't know, Burberry stuff cost a bomb. There are families in Malta who barely afford to clothe their children properly.
And yet, we see these people returning home (which is supposed to be the country they fled from persecution) in comfort. Are these really fleeing persecution? If yes, the authorities are voluntarily allowing them to risk their lives. If not, then could it be that these took the chance (illegally) to see whether they could have a better life in Europe?
Whenever Maltese migrated in the past to other countries, it was legally AND they worked themselves off. No comparison at all.
What does the Malta government owe them ?
The fact that they left back to their country is a clear sign that all is ok and they should have been made to go back with no 5000 euros from our pockets .
Malta is a laughing stock . Pay ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS to leave .
Next thing , we will be paying theives not to steal and murderers not to murder .
"In a report presented to the European Commission earlier this week, MEP Simon Busuttil emphasised the importance the EU should give repatriation programs such as DAR. In fact more funds have been allocated from the EU in this regard."
Guess from where the funds from the EU come from? From all the taxes imposed on European workers!! Political correctness is political madness. Wake up people!
The reason I am writing about this is because our children are literally working as an apprentice for pittance and are also expected to work like any ordinary employee. After finishing their apprenticeship in two years time, they still would not have earned the money being given to these scroungers who are making Malta a laughing stock.
Can I please have the equivalent monies given to me and take a couple of months off work!!!
Prosit Gonzi, you can count me out in future elections.
Shame on you and your government.
To those who cannot but be venomous, why don't you choke on your words? The money (5,000 euros) given to them were from a fund partially provided by the EU not by Gonzipn.
And why can't we have it both ways? Why should we pay them for breaking our laws? Would you give a thief your savings to leave your house unless he is threatening to kill you? your comment makes it sound like they are doing us a favour by leaving when in fact it's the other way round.
One positive outcome of this story: The Burberry scarf, pinstripe suit, digital camera, designer(?) luggage, etc were all purchased here in Malta. One way for government to stay on the good side of the GRTU! What goes around, comes around. I wonder if they had to buy their own airline tickets, as well!
Can the government please explain why I cannot set up my business whereas people who came here illegally are being granted the funds to do so and more?
They came here illegally, lived off taxpayer's money, perhaps engaged in a riot or two, then when they agreed to be repatriated, got a huge lump-sum reward for their activity! Seems this human trafficking business is lucrative not only for the criminals behind it, but for the so-called 'victims' too!
So it is safe for them to go back. It is possible to get travel documents if they cooperate. It is possible for their country to take them back.
So why are they not repatriated immediately? Why are they released from detention? This attitude make the blood boil.
Rewarding criminality and irresponsibility is what this government will be remembered for.
Oh dear, there is another disturbance at Hal Far. They seem to have started a fire at the detention centre there according to someone who was passing through the area some time ago. And the trouble seems to be spreading. I hope they don't get too noisy or Gonzi might wake up from his slumber.
they took Euro 5000 , which they will now reinvest them in another 10trips(euro500 X 10) and get Euro 50,000(Euro5000 X 10)for every time they get repatriated.
Definitely the credit crunch, is not effecting the immigrants "who are looking for a better future"
you forgot to mention the Burberry scarf.... and the digital camera!
What a scam. Another 45,000€ thrown down the drain. Can the gonzi tell us what he is doing to help the unemployed and what will they get? Is the gonzi still alive? I will presume that the gonzi and his party are death next time I have to vote.