Ivan Camilleri Brussels
EU proposes fast-track work permit for seasonal migrants
Migrants could start getting a Maltese work permit within 30 days if their employer proves they would be working for just six-months a year in a seasonal-related job such as in the tourism industry, according to new proposals unveiled in Brussels yesterday.
The proposals, intended to regulate the increase in migrant flows in the EU for “seasonal activities” such as agriculture and tourism, the European Commission is seeking to establish a common procedure for entry and residence in the EU and to give such workers certain rights in order to prevent exploitation.
Malta’s tourist industry employs a substantial amount of non-EU citizens especially during the peak summer months. However, the working conditions of some of them are not always clear and sometimes lead to abuse. Even irregular immigrants are sometimes employed at tourism establishments and restaurants around the island, particularly in the cleaning and maintenance departments.
The new proposals will entitle these seasonal workers to the same treatment as EU nationals in determined fields such as freedom to join a trade union, social security schemes, income-related acquired statutory pensions and access to goods and services.
At the same time, EU member states will remain free to decide how many seasonal workers to admit.
Through the proposals, Brussels also wants to make employers more responsible and they will now have to provide evidence that the seasonal workers they are employing would have proper accommodation during their stay.
A new complaints mechanism will be set up for non-EU seasonal workers and third parties to ensure that the EU rules are applied.
Although there are no comprehensive statistics, it is estimated that about 100,000 third-county nationals do seasonal work in member states every year.
The proposal will have to be approved by member states and the European Parliament before entering into force.
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18 Comments
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Jeremy Brown
Jul 15th 2010, 19:44
@carmelo Aquilina
thumbs up!!!
Louis Gialanze
Jul 15th 2010, 16:23
These rules do not apply to illegal immigrants already staying in Malta otherwise by the same rules these aliens would have to leave our islands on the expiry of their work permit.
Sean Grima
Jul 16th 2010, 08:31
the interpretation of law should be left to lawyers.
Anthony Formosa
Jul 15th 2010, 16:18
Brussels wants this, Brussels wants that, can Brussels listen for once what we want? We lost our freedom forever.
lgalea
Jul 15th 2010, 10:38
We don't need immigrants in Malta. We are FULL UP and do not even have space and work for ourselves. This is another example of the eu colonialist dictatorship and hegemony.
Let's get out of the cursed eu as we have every right and duty to ourselves, our children and our dear country to do. Yes, WE CAN. http://www.europarltv.europa.eu/YourParliament.aspx?action=viewVideo&packageid=f5077c6b-3b92-4a1f-8271-c7a49c3bc6e8
Sean Grima
Jul 15th 2010, 12:00
the usual hysteria.
A Cassar
Jul 15th 2010, 13:01
What a bore you are!!! Always the same litany!!
Solving our employment needs, doing so in a legal way....that is what is being proposed.
Unfortunately the 7% unemployed Maltese don't all want to work. And if they do....not all of them are suitable for an employer. And thank God most employers are pragmatists not racists!!
Dear lgalea..YES WE CAN.......BUT WE DON'T WANT TO
lgalea
Jul 15th 2010, 13:30
Sean Grima your usual defense of everything foreign and illegal immigrants instead of defending your country and Maltese citizens. With friends like you who needs enemies?
carmelo aquilina
Jul 15th 2010, 13:42
Mr Galea when you also call for all Maltese immigrants aborad tyo be repatriated I will at least consider your repetitive rants to be logical, if you want foreigners out but are happy for Maltese to go abroad and seek work then you are a hypocrite
David Buttigieg
Jul 15th 2010, 16:12
@Laurence Galea
"instead of defending your country and Maltese citizens. With friends like you who needs enemies?"
Sweetie Pie, whoever said anything about being friends with you? People like you make me ashamed to be Maltese, but fortunately you are a minuscule minority!
I would rather have a thousand immigrants then a single one of you!
And as A Cassar so rightly said "YES WE CAN.......BUT WE DON'T WANT TO"
Sean Grima
Jul 16th 2010, 08:27
Christ tells us that we should consider everyone to be our brother and sister - but lawrence galea thinks he knows better!
lgalea
Jul 16th 2010, 09:09
carmelo aquilina I have always maintained if you follow my postings that local citizens in whatever country should get first preference, so you are the hypocrite.
A Cassar continue being obsequious to foreigners, illegal immigrants and the crap eu Cassar, but YES WE CAN AND WE SHALL GET OUT. Just wait and see.
David Buttigieg perhaps you will start giving readers in those subjects Buttigieg?
Sean Grima
Jul 16th 2010, 13:53
your position shows your archaic mentality: globalisation makes us citizens of the world, not limited by national boundaries.
Louise Vella
Jul 15th 2010, 10:13
Unemployment of Maltese in Malta is about 7 %, and that's not counting those, especially women, who do not register as unemployed because they see no prospect of finding a job. Priority should go to unemployed Maltese.
ETC is hopelessly inefficient in booking offending employers who employ illegal immigrants. They book only a few every year, as we can see from newspaper reports. ETC inspectors seem to be blind to the hundreds and thousands of illegally working illegal immigrants. So ETC should be given a quota and obliged to book at least 100 per month. That will persuade employers to hire Maltese workers according to the law.
When all Maltese have a job, then it will be time to look abroad especially from nationals of other EU countries.
Moses Mula
Jul 15th 2010, 11:56
You said when all maltese have a job. This is an example of your lack of knowledge which you do not check before starting to hit the keys on your keyboard. If a country had a 0% unemployment it would only harm the country`s economy. Every country needs a percentage of unemployment so vacancies are created and new buisnesses are created. Basic economics. Giving priority to maltese would be a prejudice since we are part of a union which has as one of its pillars freedom of movement inside the e.u. and thus freedom to work inside the e.u. Is it possible that you never met any maltese who have decided to go to work or study abroad because it was the better, or the only alternative for them? And why do you and Igalea get a fit when you see the word migrant or immigrant. How has this exactly effected your lifes? Please enlighten me.
Sean Grima
Jul 15th 2010, 12:00
the usual simplistic comments from Louise Vella.
lgalea
Jul 15th 2010, 13:29
Moses Mula you are wrong Mula. Only employers need unemployment so as to be able to try to lower wages and working conditions because there would be more workers than available work. As for not giving priority to Maltese citizens because we are part of the cursed eu that is why the eu promotes the freedom of movement so that foreign workers would be able to accept lower wages and working conditions than the local workers undermining them for the benefit of the capitalists.
David Buttigieg
Jul 15th 2010, 16:18
@Moses Mula
You forget that Laurence Galea is THE leading world expert in international law, diplomatic relations, Macro AND Micro economics, not to mention history and Maltese genetics.
Plus he believes nobody should be allowed to earn more then others, Maltese are a pure race, and it's his sacred mission to warn us about the evils of this cursed eu and its nasty dictators!