African migrants have not adversely affected employment - GWU

Employment in Malta has not been adversely influenced by people seeking from sub-Saharan Africa seeking asylum, the General Workers Union said.

It said in a statement that it was against casual unregulated work, as this led to worker abuse.

“There is anecdotal evidence that there are a number of persons working in an unregulated way, they themselves may see this as easier, or indeed necessary, but the GWU sees the inherent dangers, there is no insurance cover, health and safety is often not part of the working practice, holidays, sick leave, and bonuses will not be paid, and the country loses much needed finance from the treasury by not being paid employers/employee's contributions.”

The GWU said that in such situations, wages were often below the minimum wage of a €152.29 per week, or a €3.88 per hour.

“Whilst some employers may welcome this situation, the GWU sees it as a method of keeping its members wages artificially low, as there is the unsaid threat that there are persons who will carry out the same work for less money.”

The union said it had always been against the exploitation of human beings, it was against racism, and was fully prepared to fight this evil with any and all means at its disposal.

“No person no matter what race they come from, should be discriminated against.

“There are many choices in life, but some things are not chosen, and the colour of ones skin is a prime example.

“Human beings come in many different forms - black, white, brown, tall, short, fat, thin, old, gay, transsexual, male, female.

“But they all have one thing in common, they are human beings.”

The GWU said that diversity was not an option, it was a reality. The union had the duty and a conviction to stand up and be counted as a force for the better understanding of the realities of multiculturalism.

Many strangers, who lived and worked among the Maltese, it said, were not in Malta from choice but because of necessity and they needed help and understanding.

It said that although there had been general concern that this group of people would take the jobs of the Maltese, leading to higher unemployment, this proved not to be the case.

“Unemployment, whilst rising and falling, was affected by the world and local recession, but has not been adversely influenced by people seeking asylum from sub-Saharan Africa.

“It, therefore, stands to reason that Malta, as a nation, has benefited from these people, as they have benefited from us.”

These people, it said, did the work which the Maltese did not do to their benefit and that of the Maltese.

The GWU said it realised that changes that were taking place within civil society were sometimes confusing and could make people feel insecure and angry but the speed of change was dictated by the speed that people could accept change.

“The GWU is up for the challenge, and believe that the vast majority of its members and people in civil society are now ready to accept that challenge,” it said.