GWU proposes national working group on migration

Ernest Vella

May 3rd 2009, 07:10

The situation right now is this: European Countries are washing there hands from this true problem that we are facing on our island, and this is turning our country into a racist country, which for sure its not in our identity. The Goverment must make an action plan, so to stop immigrants from leaving first and formost Libya, investigate what's going on between Italy and Libya, while introducing a specific anti-racist programm in the Curriculum, and lets our children know much more better what racism brought to this world.

Here the fault is not of the immigrants but of the nations and first of all the UNHCR that are not doing anything to solve our problem in its roots...Libya

Jeremy J Camilleri

May 2nd 2009, 19:31

It is the Government's role to protect the island from illegal immigration, obviously they have failed, so I fail to see why some people expect te GWU to solve this problem.

As for the people criticising the union, I cannot understand how any one of you, who flaunt Catholic principles whenever convenient, can take such stands.

WHilst I am against the daily influx of immigrants,I can never fathom why that means they should be exploited by greedy employers.

The same employers who exploit them, because they can, would undoubtedely do the same to Maltese workers given the chance. Indeed some do.

Also, the point here is very simple, when we allow these migrants to be exploited, that is when it becomes unfair competition toward Maltese workers.

Equal pay, equal chance of getting a job. As it stands, Maltese are disadvantaged.

Picture this, a greedy employer, an immigrant willing to do a day's work for 5 euros, and a Maltese who expects a decent basic pay.....Any Sherlocks out there who can solve the way the equation ends?

K Falzon

May 2nd 2009, 19:27

So THAT is how the GWU is proposing to bolster their membership numbers and create more industrial disputes based on majority recognition?!?!?!? I think the GWU should take a good, long hard look at itself and try to make itself more relevant to modern times. While they are at it they should ask the PL to do the same.....

Roderick Theuma

May 2nd 2009, 19:19

I have no words!!! Instead of trying to protect us from ILLEGAL immigrations taking our work the GWU wants to protect the immigrants so that they can continue to steal work from the maltese ppl.... hey these are here illegally how can you protect ILLEGAL WORKERS?

lgalea

May 2nd 2009, 18:18

Ni illegal immigrants must be employed in Malta and they must all be repatriated whatever anyone says. Whether they are paid wages similar to Maltese workers or not they are ROBBING Maltese workers of their work and bread for their families when we have more than 7,000 unemployed Maltese workers.
WHAT THE VAST MAJORITY OR THE MALTESE CITIZENS WANT IS THE EXPULSION OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS NOT PROVIDING THEM WITH WORK. ALL THOSE IN POWER DISREGARD US AT YOUR POLITICAL PERIL.

Carm Galea

May 2nd 2009, 17:38

Exactly Mr Sammut. The point behind the GWU proposal is that there will be no discrimination with Maltese workers (mostly non-GWU members) who need to compete with migrant workers being paid half the wages, no taxes or NI for the sake that the employers are doing a favour based on their "Christian values" by employing them. Our 'saintly' entities and some NGOs are encouraging employers to employ migrants (also being legal) for the sake of helping them (sic) while abandoning local workers. Then we would not be competitive! If anyone wants to help them, then give them the same wages as one would have to give to the locals. Bygone are the days when we were looking at European wages as if we were going to be equal. Instead, local workers are now competing with migrants from Africa. What did we join, European Union or African Union? Well done GWU because you are the only one raising such issues!

Marlene Vella

May 2nd 2009, 17:23

Totally agree with any proposal for equality and eradication of illegal employment.
J Farrugia - As if there no Maltese working illegally in Malta! The only link I see between illegal immigrants (and here one has to point out of every origin) and their illegal employment is the employers, by whom do you think cheap labour is sought eh? Furthermore who ever employs illegally is encouraging all kinds of tax evasion while saving on many costs including Health and Safety etc.. These employees contribute nothing to state as a result. Cheap is expensive to all honest tax-paying citizens. Whether unions will contribute positively to this aim is another story.

Charles Sammut

May 2nd 2009, 16:22

Is the GWU in such dire straits? Has it been abandoned by so many Maltese workers that it is now turing to illegal immigrants to boost its dwindling ranks?

Whether we admit it or not and whether we like it or not, given a choice of equal pay and equal skills, most employers would go for Maltese workers first. Illegal immigration is a lose lose situation all round.

Mr Zarb should listen to some stories that employers have to tell regarding illegal immigrant employees expecting to be paid for doing very little just because they have union membership.

jesmond zammit

May 2nd 2009, 16:12

kultant nemmen li hawn min ikun lest apposta biex jimmanipula l oppinjoni publika,ghax trid tkun ,ma nafx x nista nighid ,biex proposti bhal dawn ,almenu ma nirredikolawomx. halli ma jsirux ,imma ghalmenu nikkonsidrawhom . tiskanta l propsti jkunu tajbin jew hziena skond min jaghmilhom .kurzita personali hi x kien jghid nofs il poplu kieku tony zarb hareg fil lista ta kandidati mal pl ghal p.e.? kieku skandlu imma again, skond min ikun.
umbad jipretendu li jsir il patt socjali

J Farrugia

May 2nd 2009, 16:00

hands off the illegal immigration problem Tony. This is not horses meat we're trading in. Or are you in need of THEIR money meaning the Maltese people's money since it is us who are feeding them,, clothing them and making them work! There is no good will in your proposals.

Sara Vassallo

May 2nd 2009, 15:56

While condemning any abuse or exploitation of migrant workers, I cannot understand Mr. Zarb's strange proposal for a joint effort by all trade unions for migrant workers to become union members. Most of migrant workers are temporarily workers. Unions must see that whilst working in Malta they will be paid and treated according to law. There is no need for them to become union members. Perhaps Mr. Zarb is hungry to add more members to his union to keep them on his books forever ? Will he also include them in some sort of secret ballots to determine union recognition for Maltese workers ? Stop this nonsense Mr Zarb please.