Immigration: KMB says Europe should boost its birth rate
A petition by the Campaign for National Independence (CNI) calling for drastic action by Malta to counter illegal immigration has so far been signed by 25,000 people, CNI leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici said today.
He said that while the European economy needed migrants because of a declining population , the situation was different in Malta, which had a dense population and migrants were taking the jobs of the Maltese.
"The EU is encouraging immigration to make up for its shrinking population, and yet it is also spending large amounts of money promoting the use of contraceptives, therefore reducing its own birth rate," Dr Mifsud Bonnici said at a press conference. This, he said, was a paradox, and Europe should instead have incentives to boost the European birth rate.
He said the CNI was therefore calling for drastic action which included the immediate return to Libya of migrants in Malta, and a system to help migrants on their way to Europe, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said.
The first option was already being done by Italy, he said, and no human rights were being violated because Libya was not the country of origin of the migrants.
And there should be no problem with the second option once Europe itself was saying that it needed the migrants.
Migrants had not been arriving in Malta because of the success of Italy's new policy, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said, but that did not mean that the problem had gone away. For one, Malta still had quite a number of migrants which it could not cater for and should be sent back.
The petition is being collected across Malta and Gozo and will be presented to the Maltese Parliament.
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James De Giorgio
Jul 15th 2009, 20:32
Well this article teaches me that I should never say never.
I always thought I throughly disagree with KMB.
But I must say that he's right on this one, and I agree with him. To those who still won't agree with him because we seem to have a negative attitudes towards babies, I suggest that you go on youtube and type up a related video called "Muslim Demographics". It's nothing in favour or against Muslims, but it sure is a series of highly relevant facts.
If we keep our very low fertility rate of 1.3 percent constant, the Maltese will be a dying species in a hundred years.
lgalea
Jul 14th 2009, 12:22
Joanne Micallef
You are right Joanne.
Many of our politicians are not fit enough to tie his shoe laces for his honesty.
lgalea
Jul 14th 2009, 12:22
You know that Dr KMB is not married so he cannot (should not) father children.
Apart from that, he was referring to the other eu countries where they know about the problem of dwindling population (as distinct from ours since we are overpopulated) and yet they promote contraception and abortion because they want immigrants from third world countries because the employers do not want to pay the decent wages that the national workers have in their own countries.
Andrew Cachia
He did not say ban contraceptives but not encourage contraception. Eurabia is also importing a lot of immigrants from Far Eastern countries and the European race is going to vanish. This is apart from Caucescu and the reasons for his demise having nothing to do with the subject.
D Vella
It is not the Maltese workers who are arrogant Vella, but people who instead of defending their own country and countrymen defend the illegal immigrants because they can exploit them and lower the wages and working conditions of Maltese workers.
lgalea
Jul 14th 2009, 12:19
A. Muscat
You must be living in cuckoo land because CNI never contested any elections, so how could it fail at the ballot boxes?
E Gatt
He led a LEGAL government because he governed as the Constitution provided. You should go back to 1971 when although MLP got a very substantial majority of votes, the PN asked for a number of recounts in the Qormi district because it could not believe that it had lost a seat in that district. This was after a lot of gerrymandering where some districts ended up with six seats while others had five in an undemocratic attempt by the PN to cling to power as it would have done had it won that seat notwithstanding that MLP had mnay thousands of votes more than the PN. How's that for your illegitimate government Gatt?
Aimee Fenech etc
Dr KMB said that because the eu wants to import 20 million immigrants because of its aging population while at the same time it is continuously promoting contraception and abortion. So how can you reconcile the two? Is it not better to have more children than import cheap labour in the form of immigrants?
lgalea
Jul 14th 2009, 07:14
p.s.
a attard
Can you tell us what plans does the eu have for the continued immigration in Europe from other continents since it is saying that it wants at least 20 million immigrants?
D Vella
Jul 14th 2009, 06:36
France has been trying to do that for quite a few years now. General De Gaulle encouraged the French to have more children by giving generous financial aid and maternal/paternal leave way back in the sixties to help a devastated France from two World Wars fought on it's territory. Years after we saw a reinvigorated Country retake it's rightful place on the World stage. I dare say that those very same law's in one form or another are still in place,though not at the expense of banning the pill(that's another story).
So Dr.Mifsud Bonnici's statement is not as silly as it may seem at first glance and those who lose no opportunity to mock should really wipe the egg from their face .If it were not for the fact that migrants have been introduced to the argument, it could be said that Dr.M B is taking the moral high ground not to say the religious one which is totally against contraception.
Stephen Farrugia
Jul 14th 2009, 00:35
Fejn nista niffirma?
Raymond Sammut
Jul 13th 2009, 22:39
@ Campaign for National Independence
Neither Malta nor Europe can "boost" their birth rate. Following WWII, Europe suffered a baby boom in the fifties and sixties. This was followed by large emigration programs -- for example, from Italy to Australia and Argentina -- as a result of economic hardship. With the exception of Russia, Europe remains heavily overpopulated, with much of its forests diabolically depleted. Japan is also in a similar situation. Population saturation is now leading to aging populations all across Europe and much of Asia. Developing countries, on the other hand, are still in the phase of population growth, but they too are expected to saturate over the next two or three decades with far graver consequences to these countries, for they are the least prepared. There is a consensus among economists that immigration is not sufficient to lower the average age. Even if it were, it would only retard aging, and make aging a more serious social and economic problem in the long run. So please cut this nonsense about "boost[ing]" the birth rate. The only thing Europe can do now is to supplant labour with technology. This approach is already firmly in place in Japan.
Robert Callus
Jul 13th 2009, 21:11
This contraceptive concept is the most ridiculous thing a politician in a democratic country has ever said. Contraceptives are used to prevent disease and unwanted pregnancies. True, we have an ageing population, but family planning and curbing diseases are a priority. Unbelievable
D Vella
Migrants are being used as scapegoats, and yes unfortunately the seeds of racism are sown and growing. We've created a monster that few are realising the fine line we're threading on, especially considers the recent hate crimes. However, it is unfair and ironically discriminating to use the Maltese workers as scapegoats. Some are arrogant, you find arrogant people in every sector of every society. But your generalisation is completely unacceptable
Aimee Fenech
Jul 13th 2009, 19:05
This is the most ridiculous solution ever. Family planning is the most important tool of modern society, it is irresponsible to produce more children than you can afford.
So here it goes:
Contraceptives are a very important part of family planning, they should be promoted not banned as someone suggested.
Only have as many children as you can provide for.
It is grossly unethical and irresponsible to have more children that you can provide for adequately.
Migration has existed since the beginning of humanity you will not stop it by making more children. (the idea makes me laugh hehe)
We are failing to see the big picture here: we need to help and educate these people to better their countries so that they will not want to leave in the first place.
Africa is a great continent so big that malta is like a speck of dust in comparison if it were a pleasant place to live in maybe a few of us could even decide to move there just like some of us decided to go to australia, canada, uk, and america along the years.
Robert Aquilina
Jul 13th 2009, 17:31
A lot of contributors are asking what jobs are being taken by foreigners as if this is inexistent. Surely they don't have an idea on what's going on in reality. A trend that has been going on for years is that certain construction trades such as plastering and painting, pluming and the like were experiencing a drop in the asking price just because these kind of trade was being taken over by migrants, most of them illegal. The effect of this was multitude including the loss of jobs of people who were earning a living with these trades. I know of a case where a small company that employed 5 full timers had to fire all of them as the only alternative was to employ migrants illegally so that their price remains competitive but they opted not to do so. The picture that some people paint, that the influx of immigrants has no effect on the job market is ludicrous to say the least. Obviously if one is not directly effected by such trend cannot and should not utter sweeping statements.
Paul V. Azzopardi
Jul 13th 2009, 17:17
Dr Mifsud Bonnici's statements often appear radical but are in fact very logical.
I remember once he stated that Malta's prime objective was to have full employment. Many economists looked askance at this and deemed it fiscally irresponsible. Today, many governments in developed "capitalistic" countries have full employment as their target and are spending billions to achieve it.
Humans migrate from countries of low wealth and high birth to countries of high wealth and low birth. Matla is already very densely populated. The quicker we recognise these facts and work around them, within the laws and in a manner which respects human dignity, the better for all concerned.
Joseph Calleja
Jul 13th 2009, 17:12
Adding more water to an overflowing bucket does not solve the problem.
Robert Scullion
Jul 13th 2009, 16:47
@D Vella
well said
A. Muscat
Jul 13th 2009, 16:41
What do you want?
- You don’t stick the immigrants (legal and illegal).
- You don’t want them to take your Jobs. So says KMB
- The immigrants will change our culture and religion so says, Mary tal Hut at Marsaxlokk fish market coupled with all anti immigrants VOTE-DESPERATE political parties.
- You don’t want to make babies so to keep with a relatively high standard of living…. (yet 30-25% of new born babies are either out of wedlock or of unknown fathers) how much a baby coast the government, has any body worked it out?
Do you need Europe to end up more like Big Poor Old people’s Home?
@ KMB
‘A petition by the Campaign for National Independence (CNI) calling for drastic action by Malta to counter illegal immigration has so far been signed by 25,000 people, CNI leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici said today.’
Why CNI miserably fail through ballot boxes?
E Gatt
Jul 13th 2009, 16:19
@Joanne Micallef
KMB led a morally illegitimate government from 1982 to 1987.
That was his opportunity to prove he was a 'true gentleman', instead he clung onto power till the very end.
C. Schembri
Jul 13th 2009, 16:14
@ B. Zammit:
Pure Genius! Good one! lol
malcolm seychell
Jul 13th 2009, 16:12
Mr Daniel Mebrahatu
The petition is against ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!!
Illegal immigrants are breaking the law, so its not discrimination. It is common sense, and action towards our national interest.
Who doesn't like the way we think and we live he/she is always free to go back from where he came.
Ronnie Gauci
Jul 13th 2009, 15:41
Before criticizing Dr. Mifsud Bonnici have a look at this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU
In tha vast majority of EU countries, Malta included, more than 75% of the population increase in the last years are African immigrants. You know what that means??
John Borg
Jul 13th 2009, 15:33
Joanne Micallef: Do you, by any chance, remember the 1980s in Malta? Some of the actions of this "gentleman" were not exactly gentle.
Joanne Micallef
Jul 13th 2009, 14:51
I cannot help but admire this man, one might not agree with his political ideology, but one must surely admire his hard work and determination throughout all these years. A true gentleman who has stuck to his principles, and that’s easier said than done were politics is involved.
John Borg
Jul 13th 2009, 14:49
Well said Daniel.
a attard
Jul 13th 2009, 14:01
The world is already over populated (Europe included) and what plans does KMB have to sustain populations in regards to food, water, space and ever growing demand of energy to live to modern life!..........
pat camilleri
Jul 13th 2009, 13:43
What cheek calling the maltese worker arrogant. Not in my experience and I have lived all over the world. My experience of workers who have served me in Malta is that they are concientious, thorough, respectful and in some cases are even reluctant to present the bill.My husband is amazed at the attitude of most of the people who have worked for us, both skilled and unskilled.I would not dream of employing anyone who is not Maltese,or English.People employ illegal immigrants, not because they cannot find Maltese to do the job but because they pay them far less.A friend of mine employed Rumanians who were then illegal and before long they stole everything she had. Shame on whoever does not support his countrymen. We do not need illegal immigrants to either boost our population figures or to do the jobs required to be done on these islands.
Daniel Mebrahatu
Jul 13th 2009, 13:39
which work are migrants taking? can anyone specify more? Migrants work the most rubbish work that Maltese dont want to do. for a change. stop this all fuss and panic about illegal immigration because the country has more things to develop in.
about the petition it is the base of racism and discrimination.
How I wish we lived in a time when laws were not necessary to safeguard us from discrimination.”
David Muscat
Jul 13th 2009, 13:31
@D Vella
There are currently 7200 unemployed Maltese. Of the 4000-5000 immigrants only 1000 are working legally. The rest are living off benefits provided by the taxpayer. You say we need them. Why, to increase the number of people already dependent on us taxpayers?
As for racism , doesn't branding the Maltese workers collectively as cheats, liars and thieves smack of racism itself? Imagine if I said Jewish/ Somali/ arab workers were thieves liars and cheats. Wouldn't that be racism? Or is it ok as regards Maltese? This is normal PC thinking, where the locals are whipped and vilified but foreigners can do no wrong.
There may be liars, cheats and thieves in our society, but the important question to ask is, are they a bigger proportion of the toal population than say the proportion of liars cheats etc in other societies. You can say we are liars and cheats but be prepared to prove your point. Can you?
In the past ,I never saw eye to eye with KMB but in this case I agree with him.
R. Bartolo
Jul 13th 2009, 13:20
The idea to procreate more to "beat" the immigrants to it is an idea straight out of a Southpark episode.
Also, are contraceptives the problem now? That is just what we need to build our society, a whole lot of pregnant sixteen year olds.
claire farrugia
Jul 13th 2009, 13:10
there are some sectors, such as nursing where there are not enough Maltese to do the job, in the old people's home where my grandma is, the place could not function without nurses from the Philippines which distribute the medicine and do other tasks, does this petition consider this? the nursing sector is only one of the several sectors where migration is urgently needed and I am not talking of illegal migration but of a migration which is targeted at specific needs of the country
D Vella
Jul 13th 2009, 12:55
The migrants are not taking the jobs of the Maltese. It's the arrogant Maltese worker who's doing that. For far too long he has been nothing but arrogant in his attitude with never a please or a thank you or at least a smile. He has cheated,stolen and lied his way into a comfortable niche knowing that there was no competition around. How different is the migrant who smiles,is not to proud to be asked to do something by his client,does not overcharge,is polite,cleans up after he 's finished his work ,is not envious and gratefull(,not that that's a prerequisite) to be paid honest pay for an honest day's work.
Instead of getting rid of the migrants,whom we need anyway,it may be a good idea to teach the locals how to behave and treat their potential customer with a little respect and honesty. They might just be asked to work again. It would be a good idea to make sure that migrants are paid en par with the locals and not treated as cheap labour.
What this petition does is sow the seed of racism as has already happened in Paceville and elsewhere.Now do we really want that?
B Zammit
Jul 13th 2009, 12:41
Keep
Making
Babies
Andrew Cachia
Jul 13th 2009, 12:38
Dear Dr Mifsud Bonnici. can you clairify or specify which jobs of the Maltese are these immigrants taking. The last European politician to ban contraceptives was the romanian leader Nicolae Ceausescu who created a monster and we all know what happened to him and his wife!
charmaine mangion
Jul 13th 2009, 12:19
With today's expenses one cant bring children in the world and leave them to fend for themselves. \nowadays children's upbring is not like in the 50's or 60's and children require more. Andalmost all the mothers work, so why giving birth to more children when a mother cant stay home to bring them up herself?!
Franco Farrugia
Jul 13th 2009, 12:11
Ehmm... how shall I say this? .... Il-kelma tqanqal imma l-ezempju jkaxkar?
Daniel Azzopardi
Jul 13th 2009, 12:09
I cannot fail to applaud KMB. We have to get back to basics and hard at work in bed,
follow our instinct to procreate and avoid the use of contraceptives. This is the only
way to save our race.