7,130 foreigners granted work permits between January and August

john atanasio

Nov 18th 2009, 15:35

you people of malta need to send those non maltese back to where they came from before they take ove the country.you have no idea what they can do and you can't get rid of them once they get established

R.Gauci

Nov 11th 2009, 03:15

@ Alfred Camilleri

I was refering to non EU citizens that are being given work permits for jobs that they shouldn't get one for as they are not a specialised vacancy as stating to the ETC regulations or else this should be changed as I am not against anyone who wants to work legally in Malta as I said before! So its better you tell the ETC to wake up!! That's one of the reasons why the Minister should had published how many EU and how many non Eu foreigners got the permits and for which jobs, it shouldn't be a problem if there's nothing to hide!!

lgalea

Nov 10th 2009, 23:24

J.Spiteri
They are from all over the world.

Sarah Camilleri Those you mention are only an insignificant proportion of those countries labour force and even the numbers you mention are questionable. The thousands all over the world that you mention are emigrants who went to those countries because those countries needed immigration. We do NOT need immigration and foreign workers.

Peter Korsten Your comments are a load of hogwash. We were much better off when we were out of the eu and shall be much better off when we get out of its dictatorship and reverse the invasion of our country by foreign workers and illegal immigrats. EU funds? They are part of our money which we send to the eu being sent back and which would remain ours in the first place.

Jeffrey Abela What you mean is that they should just accept a bowl of rice like they do in some countries.

E Gatt The invasion has already happened Gatt. Didn't you read the comments?

S. Calleja such as waiters, housemaids etc etc?

Martin Spiteri see the other comments that Maltese workers are turned off to employ foreigners

Jesmond Micallef

Nov 10th 2009, 23:24

The German right extreme party NPD did fly a poster on one of their political campaigns in Germany, saying quite blantly : "Ausländer Aus" meaning "Foreigners Out".

They are popular in former East Germany !!!!

Jesmond Micallef

Nov 10th 2009, 23:15

Yes indeed one may argue as far as who the Maltese are. Such an argument is just as valid when one considers what makes a BRITON , British really. What makes a GERMANIC, German. Maybe the British Monarchy is a good example here.

The British Museum in London where off course, there is nothing British about it but simply a collection of artifacts her Majesty The Queen Cultural Anthropologists simply helped themselves to over the years when they where sent to HER colonies to study native cultures. Such cultural anthroplogists did make it to Malta, to study the Maltese and their culture, for her Majesty's service and advice. This museum is still called The British Museum, and there is absolutely nothing British about it !!!

The dividing line between racism and nationalism can be very fine indeed.

Malta is an island, and it is very understandable as far as genetic mutation is concerned that Maltese genetics are simply quite unique.

As far as "Malti" is concerned, it should not be difficult for foreigners to learn, it is written in Latin alphabet just like English, American English, French, German, Italian ....... It is not ARABIC, that is for sure.

lgalea

Nov 10th 2009, 23:09

W Spencer
Did the hotel managers also tell you what wages and working conditions they were ready to pay?
Many foreign workers simply sleep in a shared single room and share the expenses between themselves something which Maltese workers cannot do.
This is apart from many foreign workers working in the black economy and accepting msierly wages and working conditions.

Wayne Hewitt
They came here because they saved on expenses had they operated in other European countries apart from finding trained Maltese workers.

G.Buttigieg
In perfect harmony and agreement with you.

Chris Finch People are not referring to those who marry Maltese citizens but to those who simply come and settle here on the tiniest country in Europe and the world. How come no one criticizes Andorra and other small European countries which do not allow settlers or foreign workers?

Stephen Farrugia smifsud Agreed.

Ian England Only for as long as we remain in the eu dictatorship.

Marcel Dingli That's reverse discrimination.

Brian Maloret Every country should see to it that its citizens coem first.

Mike Farrugia I boycott restaurants and other establishments who employ foreigners especially illegal immigrants.

W Spencer

Nov 10th 2009, 22:08

@ Mike Farrugia & James Borg,

I speak to Hotel Managers and ask why the cleaners, cooks, etc, are all foreigners, only to be told that he would love to employ Locals only they do not want the work !!

Yes, ask yourself if Locals could do the jobs advertised.........As a foreigner, I am amazed at the young and not so young, able people not working, when there are vacancies ?? !! If Locals think that they are too good for menial jobs, don't look down or blame foreigners who will do the work.

I personally know of a legal foreigner who works at two jobs ( that locals did not want ), and on the wages pays for a nice flat, has a small car, and still has a limited social life.

Marcel Dingli

Nov 10th 2009, 21:56

addendum : even more serious is the fact that a personal assistant or private secretary, whatever he was, to an ex minister of infrastructure did not know what midi is. Unbelievable, but true !

Wayne Hewitt

Nov 10th 2009, 21:52

@Stephen Farrugia: You should throw out all foreigners. Start with STC, Playmobil, HOB, Lufthansa, BOSCH, etc. pp.

When you are ready you will have lots of spare time to enjoy yourself since there will not be a place to work!

Marcel Dingli

Nov 10th 2009, 21:00

I wouldnt mind a qualified person foreign or not being my boss, however having a director with a government department who does not know the difference between plaintiff and defendant or does not know how to answer a simple parliamentary question in plain maltese is something which all should worry about.

Alfred Camilleri

Nov 10th 2009, 20:20

R. Gauci. Wake up. We have been members of the EU for over 5 years now. Work Permits for specialised jobs that couldn't be done by Maltese persons apply only to nationals from non- EU countries. EU nationals have as much right to work in Malta as you and I, whether as cleaners, watchmen, doctors and what not. C. Sammut, please also note.

Sarah Camilleri. Correction. EU citizens have to apply for a work permit to work in Malta. However, unlike for nationals from Third Countries, a work permit for an EU citizen cannot be refused and is issued automatically.

Francis Bellizzi. Are you saying that Maltese, being EU citizens, have a right to work in EU countries, while EU nationals should be denied the right to work in Malta?

G.Buttigieg

Nov 10th 2009, 19:51

Martin Spiteri you must be very luck my friend, i too am Maltese by birth and i can assure you i am just as qualified with City & Guilds as any Britain, but i was always put down as a second class citizen in the UK and i remember on two occassions another person of Englsih nationality was awarded the same job i applied for, so please understand other people's views on this subject. If i had my way i would follow our right wing ideas same as alot of Brits. follow the BMP. To Me Malta and ther Maltese islands are first and foremost regardless of what Brussels says. I also take pride in flying our own National Maltese Flag and NOT a st.george or any foreign drap. but thats me can speak for others.

Chris Finch

Nov 10th 2009, 19:26

Its good to see some people have spread their racism to now include everyone who isn't Maltese and to blame societies ills on these people.

At this rate soon they will hate everyone who isn't from their village, then street, then house and finally before disappearing in a puff of vitriolic right-wing hatred everyone who isn't them.

Many foreigners have chosen Malta as their adopted homeland. They even marry Maltese nationals and have families with them. This is how Malta has evolved over the millenia, from an influx of other nationalities. - These 'foreigners' eventually become Maltese, as happened with the arabic migrants to Malta, (evident in the language and genetic make-up) Roman, French, Italian and English. It is a mix of these peoples that makes Malta what it is today.

Joe Borg

Nov 10th 2009, 18:35

Have a look a look at the lists of foreign persons who have a permit to work and judge for yourselves if Maltese nationals are capable or not to fill these vacancies.

http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/workpermits/wplist/monthslast3.asp

Mike Farrugia

Nov 10th 2009, 18:30

I detest going to a restaurant and the waiter/waitress cannot understand me when I am ordering food in Maltese and sometimes not even in English!
I wonder how the ministry of tourism allows restaurants to operate with staff members not being professionally trained by ITS or ETC.

Joseph Borg

Nov 10th 2009, 18:18

Have a look a look at the lists of foreign persons who have a permit to work and judge for yourselves if Maltese nationals are capable or not to fill these vacancies!

http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/workpermits/wplist/monthslast3.asp

oliver mallia

Nov 10th 2009, 17:54

Government is thinking that we have Maltese citizens that are abusing in government benefits. At least Maltese! We have persons, that are married Maltese women, some of them with broken marriages and employing 100s of illegal workers that are here with out visa or visa expired

oliver mallia

Nov 10th 2009, 17:53

Add another 4000, working illegal in trades industry such as plastering, tile lying and paint work. Stranger are finishing a massive block of apartments from the plastering few meters down from the Buggiba cinema. I work in trade section and we meet these persons twice a week. Most of them are from Libja.

Stephen Farrugia

Nov 10th 2009, 17:27

Facts:
Maltese are kicked out to employ foreigners.

Maltese have the skills and employing foreigners is only an excuse.

Foreigners are racist against Maltese because they want to employ only their people in higher positions.

In most cases the just want to pay lower wages.

The EU money has mostly gone to legal fees. The sum of 420 million euros. Ha !

49,000 foreigners live on the island , not including 13,000 illegal immigrants.

You fools (98%) would still vote for your party, even if they shoot you in the head. So you now get what you deserve.



Stephen Farrugia/ Rightwing

Jesmond Micallef

Nov 10th 2009, 17:09

The question of experienced professionals here will keep on re-curring. This is a subject matter that the Maltese Government should look at. Quantitively and Qualitatively.

In certain areas Malta does not need foreign expertise, why, the Maltese are intellectually very capable themselves to manage. They might need support, but only support, nothing else. The idea of having a Maltese at the top is very important. They serve as examples and inspiration to other younger Maltese people.

Yes, indeed when it comes to nuclear physicsits, the more far away they remain, the better. Thanks god, there is no market for such INTELLECTUALLY developed SCIENTISTS, not educated and developed in Malta.

Malta does have environmental, irrigation, and water sciences potential, and potential for leadership too. Leadership by Maltese scientists and engineers for example. Keep what is Maltese,Maltese and Maltese to be seen, please.

As a side-kick . Regarding psychological complexes of size, remember what has been celebrated over these last couple of days, Europewide. I have been looked down upon, simply because I come from a small nation.

smifsud

Nov 10th 2009, 16:48

Joining the EU is no different then in America and Canada- Mexico Free trade Agreement ...this is a way of out sourcing work to the cheapest bidder (Mexico in this case)so this is only a "RACE TO THE BOTTOM" system that was set up by the "NEW WORLD ORDER" the rich love this scheme as it creates unemployment and then fierce competition for any jobs available so employers take the lowest bids of pay by workers and taking our standard of living to lower levels.... unions are having a rough time dealing with this issue but the people need to realize the scam the EU system is creating ....SLAVE LABOUR!!!

Marcel Dingli

Nov 10th 2009, 16:44

addendum : I am also informed that Maltese nationals registering for work were refused their application by a Job Centre as the vacancies were reserved for immigrants. Further more after six months of registering Maltese nationals stop receiving unemployment benefits whilst immigrants keep receiving them.

Marcel Dingli

Nov 10th 2009, 16:27

I am informed that for certain vacancies only immigrants can apply. Maltese nationals registering for work were turned away. (can supply names )

Ernst Schmidt

Nov 10th 2009, 15:46

@ Francis Bellizzi

You are wrong! EU Nationals do require a working permit!

Brian Maloret

Nov 10th 2009, 15:21

Ian England

Exactly, and how many Maltese and other European Union state nationals work legitimately under EU work regulations in the United Kingdom where there is 3 Million + unemployment. Why should Malta be exempt from allowing "foreign" nationals to work in Malta. If the Maltese didn't want to abide by the rules they shouldn't of joined the club in the first place.

Francis Bellizzi

Nov 10th 2009, 15:05

The 7,130 " Foriegners" who were granted a work permit must come from outside the EU, because EU citizens have freedom of movement and therefore don`t need a work permit.
Personally I think the government has lost it to allow this when there are so many unemployed Maltese citizens. Obviousely people did not elect this government to safegaurd the local people`s interests first.
On the other hand our leaders could be thinking of the future and are trying to inject fresh blood into the population! Same as the rest of the EU, who are turning a blind eye to illegal immigration to counteract low birth rates. Who knows, but there again If I was unemployed in Malta I would really be annoyed.

Ian England

Nov 10th 2009, 15:00

I would like to make it known that as an EU citizen who has been working in Malta for the last year, that I have to apply for a work permit each year. Malta has a clause which means until 2011 all EU nationals still need to apply for a work permit. When I applied for my job I applied along with Maltese candidates. I was chosen because I was the best candidate applying for the job. People have to wake up and realise that foreigners are not always chosen because they are cheap labour, but because sometimes they just happen to be better qualified. I have as much right to work in Malta as does any other Maltese or EU citizen.

alexandra ene

Nov 10th 2009, 14:59

I would like to answer to Mrs S. Camilleri. I am a Europen citizen, living and working in Gozo since 2001. Every year I have to apply and pay for a renewal of the work permit. So for your knowledge know that European working in Malta must have a work permit and pay taxes, of course.

g.c.Forte

Nov 10th 2009, 14:44

As far as I know, before joining the E.U, our law regarding foreign employment were granted only if the Maltese cannot do the specified job. Comes to my mind are the jobs of the animators,especially in the hotels. May I ask, is this the influx of workers coming from all over the E.U countries? May I ask the Minister. Does prostitution goes under " domestic helpers " ?

J.Spiteri

Nov 10th 2009, 14:38

No problem since they all come from EU countries. But do they ALL come from EU countries? Or are they mostly come from the middle east, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, Africa, etc. What percentage of these 7,130 so called ' foreigners' (official figure?) are EU citizens? By joining the EU we did expect EU citizens to work in Malta and vise versa, but we were never told that our country would be inundated by job seekers from around the world!

Sarah Camilleri

Nov 10th 2009, 14:34

Why do we always panic when we see such figures? Please remember the thousands of Maltese who are now working in EU countries... over 2,000 in London, almost 1,000 in Brussels and Luxembourg (if not more) and thousands all over the world.

Plus, allow me to correct some comments below: EU citizens do not need to apply for a permit to work in Malta due to the right of freedom of movement.

R. Mallia

Nov 10th 2009, 14:05

employing foreigners, instead of Maltese, is not only a question of accepting lower wages, it is also finding the right person for the job. Maltese people are getting no better treatment when it comes to wages. Recently I bumped into a person i hadn't seen for ages and was told that he is gainfully employed as a lawyer with the Government but after work he rushes to a part-time job, Saturdays and Sundays included because he never manages to get to the end of the month with the meagre salary he gets. And his profession is a LAWYER, not say a waiter (not that there is anything wrong about that). Working 14 hours a day 7 days a week is not what I consider being better off. Does anybody still think Maltese are better off?

C.Sammut

Nov 10th 2009, 13:41

I always thought the permit is granted, provided the job cannot be done by a Maltese citizen. Is this over ruled by EU legislation?

Peter Korsten

Nov 10th 2009, 13:34

"Let's solve all our problems.
Let's get out of the eu."

Of all the ridiculous comments I've read on this site, this must rank in the top 5.

First off, thousands of Maltese are working in EU countries, and they would need work permits. Easier for an employer to hire an EU citizen, so a lot would come back and not have jobs.

Second, it would make Malta hugely unattractive for foreign investment, because it would no longer be part of the single market. So, we see reduced investment.

Third, EU funds would dry up. Would Malta be going to Libya, China, North Korea or other nice and democratic regimes again?

Fourth, there would be import fees again, making Maltese products more expensive abroad, and EU products more expensive here.

And finally, for some professions, it's extremely difficult to find qualified Maltese personnel - software development, for example. Many are abroad because of the wages, which leaves preciously few in Malta.

But hey, let's blame the foreigners. Perish the thought that anybody other than Johnny Foreigner is causing the problems in Malta.

Martin Spiteri

Nov 10th 2009, 13:34

Well said Jeffrey Abela. For me to arrive where I wanted to, it took me 8 years working my a** off, and a lot of sacrifice, even financial sacrifices. Thank God, now it is paying off :)

Martin Spiteri

Nov 10th 2009, 13:30

@lgalea

If the unemployed are desperate for a job, they should at least get a temporary job which everyone can do, until a proper job is found, instead of depending on social benefits. I've done it personally and it worked for me. The problem is that many people expect that the perfect job will land in front of them there and then. If you take a look at the classified published on the Sunday Times, most of us can do all the jobs listed there. There is a good number of jobs which do not require any experience or qualifications, and offer training.

Also, don't forget that most probably some (do not know exact percentage) of the people registered as "unemployed" do work without permit, to avoid taxes and lead a better life than you and me. I am sure of it since I know a number of them in the same area where I live, and they boast about it. So the real number of unemployed people in Malta is much less than 7000.

V. Pace

Nov 10th 2009, 13:19

Well for those of you who have no idea ... let me tell you ...a non-eu member of staff with a first time work permit who supposedly works full time comes in to the office mornings only, gets paid twice as much as I do, cannot speak either english or maltese, let alone write either language and yet I am the one who has been reduced to part time employment .... so much for ETC checking who takes whose job!!! So please don't assume that foreigners get paid less or are abused ... depends whose employment you're in ... some foreigners open companies in malta in order to abuse us maltese ... so think before you go blabbing!

S. Calleja

Nov 10th 2009, 13:18

Employers have difficulties finding individuals qualified for certain types of jobs (given that we have the lowest percentage of students taking up tertiary education). How can you blame them if they resort to employing foreigners?

lgalea

Nov 10th 2009, 13:16

Jeffrey Abela
We do not want to go back to slavery Jeffrey. Seems that you are an employer not an employee.

Nicholas Gatt Coleiro

Nov 10th 2009, 13:10

I must say that the amount of work permits granted to foreigners is around the same amount of Maltese unemployed.

E Gatt

Nov 10th 2009, 13:08

Malta was given a special concession whereby other EU nationals would have to apply for a permit to work in Malta for the first 7 years of membership. This was done to allay fears of an ‘invasion’ that the ‘No’ camp said was coming on joining the EU. I think this was quite cheeky considering that we were automatically entitled to work anywhere in the EU from day one.

Anyway, time flies and in 1 ½ years time any EU national will be entitled to work in Malta. I am sure that the invasion will not happen, even in 2012, and that most Maltese have no problem with fellow Europeans working in Malta.

Jeffrey Abela

Nov 10th 2009, 12:48

That just goes to confirm that "where there is a will, there is a way". I sincerely ADMIRE these men and women who more often than not, in spite of huge competition (7000+ unemployed Maltese) still manage to find work. Now whether they receive less or there are strings attached, doesn't really matters -- they work and fullstop.

The Maltese should be more flexible (money-wise) and less passive.

lgalea

Nov 10th 2009, 12:44

Martin Spiteri
In Malta it's only a question of accepting lower wages and working conditions.

R.Gauci

Nov 10th 2009, 12:39

The Minister should had stated how much of them were coming from EU countries(since they too need a permit to work in Malta) and how much from other countries just for the statistic.
I find nothing bad in granting work permits to foreigners once they are employed legaly that is getting paid minimum wage + overtime+bonuses and paying taxes,social contributions etc.. and not allowed to live on tax payers money. These all bring income to the Maltese Economy by renting or buying property and purchasing every day needs!
The one thing I find funny is that once we were promised by the ETC that work permits would be issued just for specialised vacancies that is in the case that a Maltese couldn't do that job as far as I remember which makes me think of how much there is enforcement going on as in other sectors??!!
About the unemployed Maltese willing to work I am sorry for them but if you are not doing it in Malta there's a big world out there! I had to leave my family in Malta cause I wasn't doing at the end of the month so I know what about I am talking!

Jesmond Micallef

Nov 10th 2009, 12:36

Do these foreign workers in Malta, get mobbed just like I have been working in Germany with German Engineers working in German Companies ? Are there German nationals here who might have a problem integrating in an ex British Colony ?

john Micallef

Nov 10th 2009, 12:32

I'm not seeing any space scientists, nuclear reactor designers etc in the list, that our schools or university cannot produce.

How their employment was justified?? The answer is: Low salary. This is not the issue of minimum wage, but salary diserved.

We should not forget that once a government entitiy (at that time) has asigned a contract with an hourly rate, that was less than the minimum wage.

Martin Spiteri

Nov 10th 2009, 12:30

First of all, I am Maltese and employed from a foreign company (private sector). If a job can be done better from a foreigner, management won't hesitate to get a foreigner and do the job instead of a Maltese. I've also worked in a number of countries in the EU, same there, if a Maltese is able to do a better job than their locals, they would employ the Maltese. So don't complain about the amount of work permits that have been given to foreigners, pull up your socks and it's competition time. It's gone the fact that if you are Maltese you should have priority or so. If you do your work right and you're qualified for the job, no foreigner will take your place!

lgalea

Nov 10th 2009, 12:24

Shame, shame and shame again.
Thousands of foreigners working with permits in OUR OWN COUNTRY while more than 7,500 of our own brethren MALTESE CITIZENS WORKERS are out of work.
And then they have the temerity to ask how racial hatred has been increasing especially when such permits are dished out to illegal immigrats!!!!!!!!!!
This is another example of another negative aspect of eu membership.
The only way out of this mess is to get out of the eu.
And yes we can do it.
Those who say that we can't are having it good or may have it good in the future at the expense of the rest of us.
Let's solve all our problems.
Let's get out of the eu.

J Oatmon

Nov 10th 2009, 12:11

The following statement is significant in my opinion: -

"The minister did not say if some of the permits had been granted to migrants granted protection in Malta."

To me this implies that some work permits were given to illegal immigrants. I have nothing against that, provided Maltese persons have been offered this work, and they have declined that work.

There is always a 'core group' of unemployed, who do not work, and do not seek work, of course - and Malta is no different from other countries in this regard.

"hunters and trappers" - how can someone be gainfully employed at this sort of 'work" - I thought it was a hobby?

Oliver mallia

Nov 10th 2009, 12:10

And on what basses waiters and waitresses ? Give us further details please and thank you, visa offices and who is concern about issuing such permits

Charmaine Chetcuti

Nov 10th 2009, 12:08

Most foreigners work here because they are paid less than Maltese employees. There is nothing illegal in that, if the pay is at least the minimum wage. Due to the nature of my job I encounter a lot of Maltese persons who demand high wages for low skilled jobs like cleaning or are particularly choosy in what they will do at the place of work, so what do you expect employers to do? I have encountered cleaners who want to be paid a few euros less than a clerk, and maintenance men who cannot fitx a plug!!! It's all a matter of competition.

Gerard Cassar

Nov 10th 2009, 11:47

These 7000 must form part of the number of created jobs mentioned by the Hon. DR. L. Gonzi P.N. Prime minister.
Very easy to create jobs in this manner. Give permits to foreigners and you would be increasing the number of employed.

mike farrugia

Nov 10th 2009, 11:43

I bet they are all given minimum wage and more. Are they ever checked by ETC to make sure they are not being abused?

Stephen Farrugia

Nov 10th 2009, 11:33

Do I have to say anything here ? These facts and ,speak very loudly !

I know a very large number of Maltese that got kicked out and replaced by foreigners.

The Rightwing would reverse this situation and persecute the people responsible for this mess.

Stephen Farrugia ( Sliema)

Les Watson

Nov 10th 2009, 11:33

And YOU Maltese - not forgetting the Gozitans are complaining of unemployment, boy you guys are glutten for punishment i say, get your priorities in order then perhaps you people don't complain or moan or whing as some of you seems to be proudly refer to us the Biritsh as whingers, i suggest you take a good look at your own problem. I read a list of work that the foreigners are allowed to do, which tells me that the Matese are incapable of any of the list above,doesn't make sence as i know of may Maltese who are really good at their job and much better then the foreigners who only come here for the sun. Lets put it this way if i had a choice to employ a British person or a Foreigner my obvious choice would be a Britain and Not a foreigner, cause i am a foreigner/guest to put it politly myself so who am i to complain.... but then i am self supporting and not working class now, just retired spending my money in your country, and i love it. Cheers.

Robert Astler

Nov 10th 2009, 11:28

"Minister gave a four-page list of jobs which the foreigners were allowed to perform."

People who hold EU citizenship have a right to work in whatever profession they may choose.

Mario Borg

Nov 10th 2009, 11:19

Almost the same number as those unemployed.Coincidence of course.

Lorraine Vella

Nov 10th 2009, 11:14

and how many maltese are still looking for a job???