Kurt Sansone
Anti-racism campaign launched
Appeal to tackle ‘rampant racism’ in Paceville clubs
Politicians who are not sensitive to the phenomenon of racism are likely to have never talked to migrants and listened to their stories, according to the head of a new anti-racism campaign.
“Some politicians are sensitive to the issue of racism but others are not, and probably the reason is because they have never talked to migrants. We have to continue harping on the message,” Ann Bugeja from the Migrants Solidarity Movement said yesterday.
She heads the campaign ‘Say No to Racism’, which was launched yesterday by a group of non-governmental organisations, academics, students and writers. The General Workers’ Union and Alternattiva Demokratika are also part of the campaign.
The campaign’s actions will range from raising awareness through educational and cultural activities to reporting incidents of racism in the media.
Ms Bugeja said immigrants regularly suffered from instances of discrimination, particular entertainment venues and places of work.
She said the authorities had to be sensitive and combat “social and institutional” racism.
“There have been instances when police reports by migrants who suffered racism in Paceville went unheeded or were not acted upon. This has to stop,” Ms Bugeja said.
A Sudanese migrant who has been living in Malta for six years, Saleh Taher Mohammed, said he witnessed a positive change in attitude towards immigrants in recent years but insisted more had to be done to tackle rampant racism at Paceville clubs.
He comes from the organisation that represents migrants – Migrants Network for Equality – and also forms part of the campaign’s committee.
“My place of work employs hundreds of people and the vast majority are not racist but I meet individuals who do not understand who the migrant is and why he was constrained to leave his country,” Mr Mohammed said.
Committee member and university lecturer Charles Pace acknowledged the pressure illegal migration created but insisted that measures taken when the country faced emergency situations should change now that the situation has eased.
He called for moderation, insisting that racism often stemmed from ignorance and fear of the unknown.
“The tool to fight this is correct information and greater awareness,” Mr Pace said, adding that migration brought with it new challenges that required new solutions.
“For Malta to be credible in its request for other EU member states to take on immigrants who land here, it first has to treat migrants in a dignified manner,” he said.
GWU representative Terry Gosden, who heads the union’s section for migrants, spoke of solidarity as a main pillar of trade unionism.
Asked whether the campaign would target illegal work practices involving migrants, Mr Gosden said the matter was of concern to the union.
“The GWU believes that migrants should enter the labour market in a regular manner to avoid abuse and undercutting of jobs by being paid a pittance,” he said.
The campaign will soon be holding an anti-racism street parade in Valletta followed by a concert.
The campaign brings together lecturers, writers, artists and a number of organisations.
The campaign’s website is www.saynotoracismmalta.org.
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C. Borg
Nov 29th 2010, 09:11
“Some politicians are sensitive to the issue of racism but others are not, and probably the reason is because they have never talked to migrants ...."
Are migrants eligible to vote?
If not, let's hope it stays that way.
colin stanley
Nov 28th 2010, 21:12
@. S. Borg.because this initiative, was concieved decades ago in most countries, does it mean, that everybody loves everybody else?or does it mean that most people just tolerate each other,or if you open your mouth you'll be taken to court. @ Christain Sciberras.are you one of those people that actually exploit these people,or is it just an opinion? I can assure you that these people are not as naive as you make them to be. they have enough people helping them, and they know everything there is to know.about work,and their rights.i would like to know if they pay any contributions at all?
Sean Grima
Nov 29th 2010, 21:10
nothing but negativity comes forth from anti-immigrants
Christian Sciberras
Dec 3rd 2010, 10:57
No one said they're naive. I just said if they actually work instead of ripping off Government jobs while taking your day at some bar (grumbling about taxes and colours), than surely they deserve higher placements.
If they prove to be more efficient than Maltese citizens, it is only logical they'll get to surpass fellow citizens.
That's what democracy and human rights is supposed to be all about anyway.
JOSEPH CACHIA
Nov 28th 2010, 20:04
@STEVE BORG Soon not far form today none of you puppets will dare open your mouths. We DO NOT WANT any ILLEGAL DISEMBARKED PERSON in MALTA. We need no workers of any kind MALTESE can do whatever their requirments
Sean Grima
Nov 29th 2010, 21:09
the usual bossy attitude of xenophobes.
colin stanley
Nov 28th 2010, 17:14
@ Steve Borg.because this campaign was concieved decades ago in some other countries, does it mean that everyone gets along and love each other, or does it mean that if you dare say anything against certain people ,you will be taken to court, that doesn't mean that we are all going to live happily ever after, does it? @ Christain Sciberras/ you complain because , according to you, they are given jobs that the Maltese don't want, and because of cheap labour, Do you employ them and pay them peanuts, or is it just your opinion? because these people are not stupid, they know their rights, and have all the ngo's telling them what they should get paid. so if you you don't employ them, ask people who do. and another thing how many of them work and don't pay any taxes !!!!
Christian Sciberras
Nov 30th 2010, 09:29
It's not opinion, it is pure fact. Last time I saw these people integrating well was in fields and construction. How many university students do we have in those sectors? How many of them complain about loosing jobs to immigrants?
Raymond Sammut
Nov 28th 2010, 13:33
“The GWU believes that migrants should enter the labour market in a regular manner to avoid abuse and undercutting of jobs by being paid a pittance,” he said. Terry Gosden cannot explain this statement and be honest at the same time. If Mr Gosden tried to explain it, he would quickly find himself in a dilemma: Should Mr Gosden "enter the labour market in a regular manner", he would then find himself unable to lower his personal hourly-rate labour-cost to his potential "employer". As a consequence, his "regular" higher rate would keep him out. On the other hand, should Mr Gosden "enter the labour market" in an irregular manner, he would then find himself able to lower his personal hourly-rate labour-cost to his potential "employer". As a consequence, his "irregular" lower rate would get him in. I would suggest to Mr Gosden to catch a boat to Libya where he could teach himself basic labour economics. Then come back to Malta and restate his position.
Sean Grima
Nov 29th 2010, 21:08
or attend professor raymond sammut's lectures, instead.
M Farrugia
Nov 28th 2010, 12:12
I wonder if there this movement is entitled to some kind of financing from the EU. Nowadays it pays off if you come up with an anti-racism, diversity, equality (or some other of these sixties sounding buzz words) social clubs. But not to worry, since the Germans have declared 'multi-culti' dead, this circus is on the way out. So Miss Bugeja, enjoy while it lasts, the funds may soon run out.
Raymond Sammut
Nov 28th 2010, 14:57
"enjoy while it lasts". Nice. Very nice.
M. Mifsud
Nov 28th 2010, 20:56
The campaign is entirely run by volunteers. They do it because they know the real situation and they would like to positively act for a better place to live in. The campaign has no supporting funds and so the allegations are clearly unfounded.
Louise Vella
Nov 28th 2010, 09:17
Paceville, Paceville, Paceville. Do female illegal immigrants go to Paceville? Youngsters who go there tell me they’ve never seen one there. Female illegal immigrants are more likely to be locked up by their males.
“Ann Bugeja of Migrants Solidarity Movement”. Finally we have a name but we are not told if she is President, Secretary General or whatever in this Movement. The Movement’s website www.migrantsmalta.org is particularly opaque and empty of information.
The cited website of the Say No to Racism Campaign www.saynotoracismmalta.org says under “Who we are” that they are “academics, students, artists, writers and interested individuals”. They do not name any of them. The article quotes “lecturer Charles Pace”. He is lecturer in which subject?
As for the GWU defending the employment of illegal immigrants – I leave that to the appreciation of readers.
Steve Borg
Nov 28th 2010, 11:44
Louise Vella - you're so predictable it's unbelievable. For once can you give your racist sentiments aside and let the rest of us applaud an initiative which was conceived decades ago in the rest of the world.
Christian Sciberras
Nov 28th 2010, 12:52
During the racing *showdown* in Gozo, I've noticed the irony of how fellow Gozitans (and Maltese in general) were consumed by their duties to the race meanwhile immigrants ploughed the fields.
Seems obvious to me there are some jobs which the Maltese just wouldn't dream of getting to do with, yet these same Maltese complain how jobs are being taken up by immigrants (and foreigners).
Truth is, the better working men will eventually get paid off, not their lazy counterparts.
I could go as far as to say the country will eventually be overrun and ruled by immigrants.
It would be their right if the Maltese keep up with this cheap-labor strategy.
Robert Callus
Nov 28th 2010, 13:29
@Louise Vella How about reading something that you can actually learn from rather than extending "grocer gossip" to the Internet. Or maybe make a couple of friends. It will make you feel better, believe me.
Louis Gialanze
Nov 28th 2010, 16:25
Reminds me of the biblical event when Joseph was sold into slavery by his very own brothers. Pity the GWU members!
M. Mifsud
Nov 28th 2010, 20:53
Dear Louise Vella, I have seen your comments in various articles written on the issue of migration and/or racism. Sincerely, I do not know if you are angry at someone or something. Did any of the persons working within the NGOs hurt you in some way and you are trying to reduce their work to nothingness? I wonder.
Sean Grima
Nov 29th 2010, 21:06
the GWU is not defending the employment of illegal immigrants, but of asylum seekers. as for females being locked up by males...pure prejudice.