Documentary portraying immigrants' experience launched by JRS

A one-hour documentary portraying the experience of immigrants living in Malta was launched this morning by the Jesuit Refugee Service, Malta.

The video ‘Suspended Lives’ will screened for the first time at St James’ Cavalier on Sunday at 8 p.m.

Initially meant to be an educational and informative tool showing how the Maltese reception system affected the lives of asylum seekers, the documentary ended up being an awakening that showed the deep scars which asylum seekers carry throughout their journey.

The final product does not discuss law or policy, and it is not meant to be political or controversial but simply to reveal the realities, hopes, fears and hardships that asylum seekers face everyday.

The initiative is part of a larger JRS Europe project entitled “Advocacy Network for Destitute Forced Migrants”, which is part funded by the European Programme for Integration and Migration and the Network of European Foundations

JRS also planning to take the documentary to schools as part of its educational programme.

Roberta Buhagiar, from the JRS, said that immigrants currently faced irregular and unjust job conditions where at times they were employed for two or three days, let go and not paid.

“We recognise that finding work is difficult even for Maltese people but to work and not get paid is an injustice,”

She said that a job seeking scheme will be placed for immigrants at the Hal Far and Marsa open centres in conjunction with the ETC and the Agency for the Welfare of asylum seekers.

The documentary is not meant to be controversial.