Claudia Calleja
Ombudsman to probe migrant employment
Immigrants near the Marsa open centre. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Every morning migrants can be seen hanging around in Marsa and other areas close to open centres, looking for work.
The system is simple: They make themselves available and get picked up by their employer or get "contracted" for the day. Some of it is legal, some is probably not.
Whatever the case, the lack of debate and regulation of the situation has spurred the Ombudsman to launch an investigation into the general migrant employment scene.
"This investigation will look into whether employment laws and regulations fit into the irregular immigrant situation," explained Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino.
He said the aim of the exercise would be to make recommendations that would address any identified issues in the employment of migrants who can work in Malta.
Dr Said Pullicino, a former Chief Justice, said the investigation would look into whether there should be special set-ups to help migrants find employment; whether migrants were or should be paying national insurance; if employed migrants were being monitored sufficiently to ensure there was no abuse and whether working conditions were adequate, and whether the current structures helped their integration, among other things.
The investigation would also determine whether the authorities were aware of the issues and if existing laws and regulations were being enforced.
"It's important for the country to tackle the issue," Dr Said Pullicino said, especially because later this year the European Asylum Support Office should be set up on the island.
The Ombudsman's recommendations would be drawn up following discussions with several non-governmental organisations and government institutions.
Last September, the General Workers' Union published a policy paper on migrant workers. The paper outlined the prevailing realities and pointed to a lack of policies and guidelines regarding migrants in society.
Malta's accession to the EU and the Schengen area attracted migrants especially from Eastern Europe, the paper said. These people tended to find employment in the tourism sector, "which may be the result of their Nordic looks and willingness to work for less than the minimum wage".
Migrants who entered the country illegally, usually on a boat, were often exploited by employers who overworked and underpaid them, the policy document said. The immigrants tended not to report abuse for fear of losing their jobs and financial income.
Almost 1,500 irregular immigrants landed in Malta last year.
Irregular immigrants are released from detention centres 18 months from their arrival and, unless they leave the island, they are usually granted some form of working permit.
"We would like to see a level playing field for migrant workers and, perhaps, anti-racist training in companies," said Terry Gosden, the GWU's third-country national specialist.
"Migrants I've spoken to have said they prefer to pay their tax contributions as that guarantees better job security. It would also help them feel like they are participating in society and not living on the periphery," Mr Gosden added.
Any submissions to the Ombudsman's office can be sent in writing to 11, St Paul Street, Valletta by February 26.
The Ombudsman will also consider requests for oral submissions and appointments can be made by calling 2124 6861 or via e-mail at office@ombudsman.org.mt.
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14 Comments
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sean grima
Jan 26th 2010, 15:06
who or what is considered illegal is not decided by you, but by people with legal knowledge.
R. M.
Jan 26th 2010, 14:09
Igalea, "illegal immigrants and foreigners should not be able to compete for work with Maltese citizens in our own country. They can go and work in their own countries. I can assure you that I will not buy any products and services or anything from anyone who employs illegal immigrants."
Should all countries expel Maltese? Fair is fair. You know you're part of the EU? 21st century? Planet Earth? Read up about globalisation and protectionism.
M.Gauci
Jan 26th 2010, 09:50
@Louise Vella.
You are right in what you say and entitled to your opinion however I think you are underestimating both the GWU and Mr. Said Pullicino.
lgalea
Jan 25th 2010, 22:16
sean grima
No sean, illegal immigrants and foreigners should not be able to compete for work with Maltese citizens in our own country. They can go and work in their own countries. I can assure you that I will not buy any products and services or anything from anyone who employs illegal immigrants.
lgalea
Jan 25th 2010, 22:15
sean grima
They are ILLEGAL whatever you and your ilk say sean
Alfred Farrugia
Jan 25th 2010, 17:54
The same system of day labourers is still going on in the open during daylight in the US, including the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, very often close to home improvement stores such as Home Depot and others. These workers can be seen practically every day. There is also what is known as the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). This difficult situation is reported on a number of sites, and as is normally the case, there are those who work in favour of this issue and those who work against.
http://www.ndlon.org/
http://migration.ucdavis.edu/MN/more.php?id=3180_0_2_0
http://www.wehirealiens.com/
louise vella
Jan 25th 2010, 15:00
3.
“Dr Said Pullicino … said the investigation would look into whether there should be special set-ups to help migrants find employment”.
Did Dr Said Pullicino ever hold an investigation to see if there should be special set-ups to help Maltese find employment? Does he know that more than 7 % of Maltese are unemployed?
“ … and whether the current structures helped their integration”.
Will Dr Said Pullicino investigate to see if current structures help the repatriation of illegal immigrants to their native country?
“It’s important for the country to tackle the issue”, Dr Said Pullicino said, especially because later this year the European Asylum Support Office should be set up on the island”.
Does Dr Said Pullicino realize that the European Asylum Office being set up on the island has absolutely nothing, repeat nothing, to do with the illegal employment of illegally staying immigrants?
sean grima
Jan 25th 2010, 14:55
it is incorrect to use the term "illegal" immigrants. most, if not all, of the ones who work in malta have applied for asylum. All asylum seekers whose case is still pending after 12 months are allowed to access the labour market – so after this period, they can work legally.
louise vella
Jan 25th 2010, 14:52
2.
The ombudsman has already shown his views on the subject of illegal immigration. Last summer on the insistence of the Emigrants’ Commission Monsinjur Philip Calleja he gave advice which goes against logic,and against common sense. His advice was that an illegal immigrant who has no identity documents (and whose name, date of birth, nationality etc cannot be proved in any way) can get legally married in Malta.
This is a way for an unknown and unidentified African to get identity papers, because he can then use his marriage certificate to get an identity card and so on. This advice is not being followed. If it were followed it would encourage marriages of convenience.
louise vella
Jan 25th 2010, 14:42
1.
“The Ombudsman's recommendations would be drawn up following discussions with several NGOs”
We can guess who these organizations are and what they’ll say. Especially we look forward to the GWU’s policy.
Before Malta joined the EU the GWU was afraid of competition of Sicilians from the north. It turned out the competition comes from Africans from the south. It’s not a matter of race. The GWU should not discuss skin colour. It’s a matter of wages and work conditions of Maltese workers, for which the GWU is responsible. Importation of foreign workers (black, white or yellow) will undercut wages and work conditions of Maltese workers. Unemployment is above 7 %. The more foreigners we have ready to work for lower wages and worse conditions, the harder it will be for the GWU to obtain better wages for its Maltese members.
The GWU should not seek a level playing field for migrant workers. It should be fighting for a level playing field for Maltese workers because the playing field is tilted against them. Maltese policy on illegal immigration should not be made by Mr Gosden, whoever he is, but by the Maltese, including the GWU and its members.
John Azzopardi
Jan 25th 2010, 13:53
Let's not be so naive and think that the Maltese market can handle thousands of illegal immigrants. There is barely enough work for Maltese. Pay the illegal immigrant the full pay and you will see how many of our small maltese business owners will run out to hire illegals. It's easy to locate and identify employers in little Malta, but of course this is always up to the Maltese to do so. And find them they will in just a few days. Malta is not the US or other European countries in size. We are just talking about 122 sq miles here. NOthing less, nothing more.
sean grima
Jan 25th 2010, 12:07
i guess charles sammut has every right to prefer maltese over foreign (African or other) employees. this does not in any way impinge on the fact that foreigners should be allowed to compete in the labour market, on the 'equal pay for equal work' principle.
Alfred Sacco
Jan 25th 2010, 11:16
This is a normal sight for drivers making use of Aldo Moro Road, Marsa. Reminds me of similar scenes way back in 2002/2003 in Georgia, U.S.A., where Mexican illegal immigrants used to linger on certain highways ready to be picked up by those prepared to make use of cheap labour, working unholy hours.
Charles Sammut
Jan 25th 2010, 10:45
"We would like to see a level playing field for migrant workers and, perhaps, anti-racist training in companies," said Terry Gosden, the GWU's third-country national specialist.
This is not only patronising but downright insulting. Given a choice between a Maltese and an African with the same qualifications, I have no qualms choosing the Maltese candidate. What Mr Gosden is terming "racist" is just a natural tendency.
It is also un-Christian according to the bible itself.
1st Book of Timothy 5. 8:
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
Of course those "christians" who are exploiting the situation to their advantage will not agree.