Studies confirm how integration between the Maltese and migrants is not happening
Surveys conducted separately by SOS Malta and the UNHCR (Malta Office) have confirmed the absence of integration between the Maltese and the immigrant community, with language - as well as perceptions - being the biggest barriers.
A seminar held by the two organisations this morning to discuss the findings showed that migrants feel they were being discriminated upon by the Maltese.
Migrants who were questioned by the two NGOS said they wished to have access to education, particularly to learn Maltese or English.
All Maltese and migrants who were questioned said they were not involved in multicultural events.
The migrants said they were discriminated at their place of work, where they were offered jobs which the Maltese did not want, but paid less than what would be ordinarily paid for such jobs.
Several migrants said some Maltese did not allow them to sit near them on the buses. Others showed their displeasure when they moved into their neighbourhood.
A frequent complaint by the migrants was that they could not follow educational courses because they needed to work in order to maintain themselves.
The migrants said they had little or no contact with the Maltese, however they noted that the Maltese made a distinction between migrants who were granted humanitarian protection, and others who were seen as being economic migrants.
Some 1,000 migrants are estimated to be living in Maltese towns and villages, with another 2,500 in open and closed centres. Migrants in employment work mostly in the construction industry, in the case of men, and hotel housekeeping in the case of women.
Most migrants said they would like to leave Malta because they felt unwanted, or because they wished to be reunited with their families .
A 37-year-old man from Ghana, Mohammed Mozzammil, said he arrived on a boat in May 2006 with group of 24 and was detailed at Safi for 18 months before being released. He moved in with a friend and started attending courses to help him integrate, but he had to give up because he needed to work to be self-sufficient.
He said he was happy to, finally, be living free as a human being. He used to think of the Maltese as being rude, he admitted, but now he realised that most did not know what they were doing, in that they did not know anything about migration.
During the event, organisers complained that although the purpose of the seminar was integration, no representative of any local council had attended, despite being invited.
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Anthony Borg
Aug 13th 2011, 13:57
"...Most migrants said they would like to leave Malta because they felt unwanted, or because they wished to be reunited with their families.”
The sooner the better: if there is fund to help them on their way, I will gladly contribute towards it.
< >
Dear Ms. Taylor-East, if you are so keen in helping these illegal immigrants, go there and establish whatever you want to there. But DO NOT foist it on us here.
Mr Alex Buds
Aug 11th 2011, 19:13
They are illegal immigrants, not "migrants" as the press continues to refer to them.
They should be sent back home, not integrated.
Anthony Borg
Aug 13th 2011, 08:47
You couldn't have spelt it clearer! Agree 100%
Mr P Bonnici
Aug 11th 2011, 16:57
I suggest that pro-immigration people read the book: While Europe Slept' by Bruce Bawer.
You can also check the website here and read the readers' comments.
http://www.amazon.com/While-Europe-Slept-Radical-Destroying/dp/0385514727
Mr Joe Gatt
Aug 11th 2011, 15:09
Oh Ok Sean, OK, we will open our doors wide open, let a few Thousands more in, then.
Just for your sake, to make you Happy.
We will let you decide, it`s your privilege, as to how many Thousands that should be.
OK Happy now?
Sean Grima
Aug 12th 2011, 22:03
no, man, we let in all those who arrive, process their applications and act accordingly.
Sean Grima
Aug 11th 2011, 12:59
no wonder integration does not take place, with grumpy attitudes like these.
Regina Muscat
Aug 11th 2011, 14:06
Keep your outsider opinions to yourself in future sean, ok
Mr Joseph Calleja
Aug 11th 2011, 15:07
Mr Grima you cannot force people to integrate if they choose not to, and it seems like the Maltese people choose not to. I don't have to like you and you have the right not to like me, get it Mr Grima. I like you because I want to like you not because somebody forces me to like you. Same goes for you. Forcing people to do something they do not want to do creates more hate and prejudice. Grumpy attitudes?
Sean Grima
Aug 12th 2011, 10:03
dear regina, i have an equal right to express my opinion as you do. so i will not keep it to myself.
and joe calleja, no i do not get it - i did not say that anyone should be forced to integrate, so your comments are "out of point". i only said that those who do not want to integrate are grumpy.
Mr Alex Ellul
Aug 11th 2011, 08:33
Multicultiuralism is failing not because the host counties' population does not adapt but because the immigrants do not adapt. period.
Michael Lloyd
Aug 11th 2011, 13:44
Speaking as an Englishman living in the UK, Mr Ellul, I have to say that your analysis is absolutely correct. Multiculturalism is a dismal failure here and has led to ghettos of alien culture. The immigrants have no intention of adapting to their new host country. Rather, they demand that the host country changes to meet their requirements.
john chircop
Aug 11th 2011, 00:22
Look everyone has to understand that sometimes governments do things to always look good,or to get a pat on the back by others!Malta due to its size and lack of land space and economics cant do things like other bigger countries! Its not being racist but Malta does and should have a right to protect its borders and say NO to all illegal immigrants and refugees full stop!We are to small im sick of having to explain this situation nearly on a daily basis with people.This is a fact it has nothing to do with christian values as i would help anyone,so therefore ok save these people at sea,then turn them over to another country that can sustain them!FED UP WITH THIS ISSUE!!!
Mr Alex Ellul
Aug 10th 2011, 23:06
Multiculturalism is what is happening now in the UK. Parts of the UK are now in chaos, anarchy, looting, burning, killing, (three young man trying to defend their patch from the rioters were run over by a car, diedon the spot. But the worst part is how the media journalists bury their head in the sand. The following is a conversation between a Sky News journalist and a young man whose shops had just been destryed:
>Female Sky reporter interviewing a white guy who has had his shops burned.
He said to her , "the arsonists/looters were all black"
. She said to him ," you can’t say that , there must have been white guys there as well".
He thought about it and then said , "ok they were not all black , i was the only white guy there. Is that ok to say ?"
This guy states this with a totally dead pan face without a hint of the pc faux pas.
She again corrects him and states nervously "you just can't say they were all black ,
he responds , "but they were, I was there."
End of conversation.
Ms Marthese Vella
Aug 11th 2011, 09:06
Multiculturalism happens everywhere. The global village is not restricted to the UK, or Europe. Hundreds of thousands of people from every culture and country all over the world were evacuated when the war in Libya started.
The integration of migrants is actually against the present concept of "multiculti" that is practiced in some countries. A concept based on the premise that everyone's culture should be respected to the extent that some foreigners don't adapt to the countries culture and even the law.
Then, of course, there is another option - ghettos and fear of the other. The worst kind of multiculturalism possible
Mr carlos ellul
Aug 10th 2011, 20:45
I guess we should copy the attitude of what the NGOs consider the cultural melting pot per excellence.....London.
David Seychell
Aug 10th 2011, 20:08
Multiculturalism should not be imposed on the Maltese people against their will. It should be a free and voluntary choice.
Multiculturalism is the name of a Game:
Divide and Conquer,
And a Global Gov't will Occur.
Anthony Buttigieg
Aug 11th 2011, 00:28
well said
Mr Robert Callus
Aug 10th 2011, 17:49
On a positive note, I do think the situation has improved considerably than, say 6 years ago.
As a regular user of Public Transport, I used to witness buses with people standing, a black guy sitting and an empty seat besides him. Once, when I innocently thought a woman didn't know there was an empty seat and pointed it out to her, he looked at me with angrily and said "WHAT!"
I haven't seen such a situation or parallell ones of blatant racism for a ages. (Though I have heared of a case where someone didn't get aboard and Arriva bus because the driver was black! Hope the freak was kept waiting for a very long time)
S. Briffa
Aug 10th 2011, 18:59
I like the positive side and true what you are saying that it did improve. I too am a regular bus user and have also noticed, as I even had an elderly man beside me and as soon as he saw migrants coming on the bus the words he was saying was shocking, I just got up as I find it useless to argue with these kind of mentality!!!
They are people who work with a smile on their face and actually are happy here...
S. Briffa
Aug 10th 2011, 17:48
There are Maltese who lived here all their lives who cannot integerate just look at the mess by skips and what is dumped in the rural areas, they don't even know what it means enviroment, pollution, they live just for themselves in a spotless house- new regulations- they would have no clue!!! So we are surprised!!!
Mr Robert Callus
Aug 10th 2011, 17:38
Can the people criticizing multiculturalism DEFINE IT?
My impression is that far from what Merkel et al said "is dead", these people simply think multiculturalism is just having people of different cultures living together. That "Berlin Walls", thousands of soldiers at checkpoints and this crap, still works.
Forget it.
It wasn't what Merkel and Sarko were referring too. It's just a hallucination that in Malta for example, two groups of people are living in. One is led by Norman Lowell, the other by KMB.
Multiculturalism - which was NOT caused by refugees is today's reality, a direct consequence of globalization. It's also irreversible. You're not going to close the Turkish kebabs in Munich, neither Mc Donalds in Iraq.
These people's only hope is North Korea (min hu gewwa gewwa, min hu barra barra), and the people there, given the choice would all be leaving.
Tim Gauci
Aug 10th 2011, 17:32
Free health care, free meals and drinks, free mobile phones, free education, free daily pocket money, job opportunities all from the tax payers money, This certainly outweighs what some of these ungrateful immigrants are saying however the mainstream media never writes about this. It's always the same old story how immigrants are treated badly and that bla bla.
John Spiteri
Aug 10th 2011, 22:50
Yes, getting jobs that the Maltese do not even consider of doing. Such as carrying heavy loads on their shoulders, thus saving the contractors having to pay for a crane? Dish-washing, Garbage collection,and other jobs that the Maltese believe are demeaning?
Colin Stanley
Aug 11th 2011, 14:29
@ J. Spiteri. if you are refering to African illegal immigrants, can you tell me how many you know that are professional , like Doctors, lawyers computor experts, etc. that are working in these jobs that according to you the Maltese , do not want. I think that the eduacated ones if there are any of them about, will be taken by another country, and we will be left with the social cases.
Mr Joe Gatt
Aug 12th 2011, 10:05
Colin Stanley
The subject is mostly about illegal and economic migrant.
Well said Mr Stanley, the cream gets siphoned off pretty quickly.
All we`re left with are Sponges, the Takers, the One way Street.
But some seem to think, that Sponges will help to make our future brighter and secure.
RIDICULOUS
Stephen Koludrovic
Aug 10th 2011, 17:18
Most migrants would wish to leave Malta for the simple reason that they assume,that there are better pickings to be had in mainland Europe.
Christina Pace
Aug 10th 2011, 17:14
Here we go again! The debate of illegal immigrants once more rearing its head. Notice the careful avoidance of "illegal immigrants".
The truth of the matter is that if I go to a country outside the shengen zone I will need clearance to enter that country froim their embassy in the form of a visa. Overstay that visa and you can be sure wou will be sent home forcefully. Of course we are more welcoming to legal immigrants. They have the decency to ask permission to enter, work and stay. They actually want to be here and appreciate our hospitality and take us for what we are. They pay their contibution to society both fiscally and economically.
While the illegal immigrants hate the fact they where landed on this island. They are kept here instead of being sent on their way despite their illegal status and them entering our waters without clearance. They sponge off our social services without making contributions. In addition they have rendered cetain parts of the island unsafe to navigate on foot or in car with the windows rolled down and doors unlocked. My sister was attacked in broad daylight in her car when one of these guys in Marsa forced himself in from the passenger door while her door was pressed against a wall, a few minutes before job interview.
I am not racist and I welcome cultural and biological diversity as my Bosnian, Russian, Bulgarian, Kuwaiti, American, Italian and British friends will vouch for. but I call it as it is, and illegal is illegal, no matter which way you slice it. I admire those Lybians who stayed to fight for their country instead of fleeing to countries that couldn't possibly sustain them.
Mr Tony Gatt
Aug 10th 2011, 17:47
Why do you think the U.K. did not sign the Schengen Agreement? They could see this coming, that's why.
Mr Karl Consiglio
Aug 10th 2011, 16:37
Ok relax, issa norganizzaw loghba futbol.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 10th 2011, 15:55
The illegal immigrats should know that we never colonized them and stole their riches.
This was done by the European colonizers who are now using the eu and its crap Dublin II Convention to make us lump them and prevent them from reaching mainland Europe.
Best to leave the eu, both for us because it has destroyed nearly everything that we had and for the illegal immigrats because then we shall not be obliged to keep them here but help them on their way to mainland Europe.
Ms D Galea
Aug 10th 2011, 15:28
Solidarity to one's neighbours should not be restricted only to voting YES for dvorce or collecting money for a worthy cause at some mega marathon.It should also include offering assistance to all those who may require it, irrespective of one's colour of skin or birthplace.
Mr Nick Grech
Aug 10th 2011, 15:19
SOS Malta and UNHCR should mind their own business and stop blaming the Maltese. Of course there are some ignorant people especially in the construction industry who treat these immigrants like some work horses. Its also true that others take advantage of their position. However this is not the full story. Once I watched a forwarder offering 3 immigrants 20 Euro each to help him unload a small container. They agreed and the work started. The Maltese guy was working more then the three of them put together and certainly he did not get paid Eur 20 for a 1 1/2 hour job. After 20 mins they stopped and wanted the 20 Euro to go for a break. He gave them 5 euros each and they started shouting and complaining. Their intentions were clear. Anyway by the end of the job I counted 6 pairs of non- disposable leather safety gloves trown on the floor. I also counted a full packet of disposable plastic cups, i.e. 100 pieces used and scattered all over the place and finally they started arguing because they wanted 35 euros each, shouting that they were being discriminated!! Besides their vidicative attitude towrds work created a potential danger to other workers. SOS Malta should quote how many problems and accidents happen most of which are not reported by the media.
One early morning a friend of mine heard a woman crying for help. She was surrounded by immigrants. By the time he dressed up and went to help her the police had arrived and nothing was heard about the matter. This happened near the university roundabout.
Denis A. Darmanin
Aug 10th 2011, 16:10
Mr Grech, There are a number of these 'immigrnts' who have a case, work hard and are respectful, and I feel sorry for them. But they are outnumbered by those who aren't your genuine assylum seekers and use democracy as a weapon againt itself . No need to elaborate.
What you've described above is very true but don't forget what power the construction tycoons wield in Malta, and backed by those holier-than-thou.................
It is you and I or him or her who are in the wrong and are branded with many ugly names were we to say otherwise.
l vella
Aug 10th 2011, 15:18
ahhh its so nice and comforting to be surrounded by so many christians.........now i can feel safer and be a better catholic
ladies and gentlemen, i thank you for your crucial intervention
Mr Alex Ellul
Aug 10th 2011, 15:17
Soon after Cameron became UK's PM, he declared:
"Multiculturalism has failed."
Of course, this declaration has not been taken up by the press, being considered as not politically acceptable or correct. However this does not mean that Cameron is wrong. In fact he is right and the extreme violence currently taking hold all over the UK proves him right.
Multiculturalism is dead. It is a failed experiment. The problem is that most of the modern migrants migrate not to seek a different life, but actually to export their way of life to the host country, expecting the host population to adapt instead.
As an example I take the case of Mlatese migrants. We Maltese have always blended very well wherever we migrated to, and by the second generation, decendants would not be recognisable from other citizens.
But latter day migrants coming to Europe bring with them their customs, their dresses, even their own laws such as the Sharia law. This is not acceptable. We cannot have a state within a state. The result can only be anarchy.
Skin colour is not THE PROBLEM. The prblem is deeper. It is a matter of cultures clashing with each other. The solutionis that host countries need to wake up and stop the flow before it is too late, (wherever it is not yet too late).
Mr Matthew Abela
Aug 10th 2011, 15:42
I agree 100% , very well said.
Mrs Ann Welch
Aug 10th 2011, 19:03
Well said....agree 100%
Patrick Sacco
Aug 11th 2011, 03:23
I agree 100% with you, Sir.
These are the kind of comments we should read and listen to and not that crap on some corrupt media.
The voice of reason!
Oh what a breath of fresh air!
melchior sultana
Aug 10th 2011, 15:06
Im not a racist but i am strongly against multiculturalism and i find very stupid those who are in favour of it, nature created a place for every type of man, i dont believe a swedish man is made to live in africa and vise versa, i believe reality is simple as that, multiculturalism is another man made force agaist nature
Christina Pace
Aug 10th 2011, 16:41
Intolerance is also a man made concept yet you seem to be quite cozy with it.
However, if you really must follow that line of thought, culture is also a man made concept. Are you perhaps suggesting we abandon culture too?
"nature created a place for every type of man"...indeed by that statement you show how racist you are since you are implying that people from different countries are different. FYI...there is only one type of mankind and we all fall under it.
Let me tell you about the forces of nature. You take a crockodile from wherever you fancy and take it to the wonderful billabongs of Australia and that crockodile will not have a problem reproducing with the locals. Nature does not make the distinctions you make. Indeed nature needs genetic diversity and thrives off the mixing animals from different populations as this encourages evolution. Look at the tazmanian devil, inbred to the extent that even cancer became contageous because they are all so genetically similar. Sharks roam all the oceans and so do wales and dolphins, and the only thing that would come close to our boudaries is their mating territory which is easily contested and won by another dominant individual.
More man made forces that go against nature and how so:
- monogamy: It has been proven that human brains through hormonal stimulation are programmed to spread as many seeds as far as possible by man and seek an alternative sex partners during ovulation for women, although many try to keep to cultural norms,
- money: there is not one commodity you can pay for in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature, in a world where if one wants something one has to hunt it, forage it or scavenge it,
- clothes: man shed his thick coat when it had to adapt to wam climates and could do without it, similar to what elephants, rhinos and hippos did when the ice age finished. FYI we owe the origins to our species to AFRICA, THE CRADLE OF MANKIND,
- medicine: if nature wanted man to live without disease we would be immune to it, indeed it is a crime against nature to prolong a person's life when nature selected the individual to die,
- old age: nature made man and all animals in such a way that the old get replaced by the yound, not that the young have to pay for the keeping of the old,
- life support.: Again nature selected the individual to go through fatal injury/disease and we humans have the nerve to oppose it.
If you really must follow the natural path take of your clothes off, leave your bank account to me along with your car and your house as there is no permanent possession in nature, fashion a knife out of bone or flint, become color blind, shag any humanoid you manage to, chew on herbs to cure a headache and pray to god you die when you get injured or sick, and hope you do not reach old age for the sake of your fellow humans.
Ms Louise Vella
Aug 10th 2011, 14:48
“ no representative of any local council had attended, despite being invited”.
Local councils are elected by the people. Councillors are close to the Maltese people and know what the Maltese people think. No doubt the councillors knew what they were doing.
Ms D Galea
Aug 10th 2011, 16:40
Thank God then that there were no local councils to confer with in Egypt , when a certain Joseph , his wife Mary and their child Jesus sought refuge there from the child murderer Herod !
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 11th 2011, 10:36
Ms D Galea go preach your gospel in Africa
Ms Louise Vella
Aug 10th 2011, 14:47
UNHCR is here described as an NGO. This is probably right because it is behaving like an NGO. UNHCR is supposed to be the UN agency for refugees. We all know what refugees are. They are temporary residents exceptionally allowed to live in a country that is not their own. What business does UNHCR have to do with integration?
Ms D Galea
Aug 10th 2011, 16:45
The Red Cross, America and most of Europe argued on your very same lines in the late 1939s and early 40s when millions of Jews were being exterminated in Nazi Germany and its occupied territories. I wonder if school children in Malta are made aware of these historical facts by their teachers.
Mr Patrick Attard
Aug 10th 2011, 14:44
Integrate with whom?
These unwanted and uninvited people who are raising the incident of crime on this island.
No thank you, not if i can help it.
Gustav Svensson
Aug 10th 2011, 14:37
I hope EU will speed up the process. There are plenty of empty appartments, like 100 000, the new maltese need housing and schooling. Also the Church should reach out a helping hand. Each Village should get it's numbers of new Maltese. This will be tajjba tajjba.
Colin Stanley
Aug 11th 2011, 13:02
who are these new Maltese you are talking about? I was born in Malta, my father was English, when I turned 18, years. I had to renounce my British Nationality, to remain here, and be classified as a Maltese. and I was born here and my mother was Maltese. so what new Maltese are you talking about.
Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior
Aug 10th 2011, 14:35
Why should we be surprised that integration is failing?
Wasn’t it not Angela Merkel and David Cameron who declared that MULTICULTURALISM HAS FAILED IN EUROPE?
There is no point in trying to continue flogging a dead horse!
The “horse” is dead – R.I.P.!
JC.
Stephen Koludrovic
Aug 10th 2011, 14:20
Anyway one looks at it the figures just don't add up right.
According to the NSO total landing by boat of irregular immigrants from 2002 to 2009 was 13130 persons.
This total does not include the landings of 2010, or the extra 1500 since the Libyan emergency.
We do know that the USA took approx 600, France and Germany 200 each, and a very small sprinkle was taken by the rest of the EU.
Now in this report the SOS Malta, and the UNHRC claim that there are approx1000 living in Maltese towns and 2500 in the open and closed centres.
Over 15,000 landed minus 3500 + 1000 exported leaves us with a discrepancy of a missing 10,500 Sub Saharan immigrants that nobody seems to know where they are.
Someone somewhere, either just cannot count, or the poor Maltese public has been sold a pack of lies.
Victor Pulis
Aug 10th 2011, 14:10
Most of the migrants confess that they do not want to stay in Malta and that it was only bad luck that landed them here.
Do the authorities know of the rampant cheap labour going on the the country? These people are being treated as slaves by unscrupulous employers who pick them up at Marsa and work them for a pittance.
Integration has failed all over Europe because now Europeans are waking up to the reality that in a few years' time they will be foreigners in their own country. Malta, being such a small country will feel this effect before most other nations. It is not a question of racism but of realism.
David S.Rizzo
Aug 10th 2011, 15:08
Well said! And to add insult to injury, most of those employers you mentioned try to disguise it as Charity! Not to mention that in many cases neither Tax not NI is being deducted since they are not officially workers. Someone should regulate things.
Christina Pace
Aug 10th 2011, 16:44
In addition the authorities should also know of the economic immigrants treating Maltese like slaves.
E. Azzopardi
Aug 10th 2011, 14:04
To start with, there is no question that we should help these people. No question about it. As for the rest:
1. integration will never happen in such a small island. Immigration has greatly effected the much bigger countries ( we can see with our own eyes what is happening in the EU) and so much more this tiny little piece of rock. Whatever anybody says, our size plays a big part in many aspects.
2. Nothing is hampering those who want to leave. They came to Malta freely and they can go home freely. Nobody will hinder their departure. This is a democratic country.
3. Perhaps they should have stayed in their country to try and change it and not flee and leave their families behind. To be honest, I could never understand this.
JOSEPH mercieca
Aug 10th 2011, 13:57
I feel dissapointed at the attitude towards migrants by my fellow countrymen and women .I was a migrant in Australia and know what it s like to feel like an outsider ,i m ashamed that a country like malta with so many of our people having to go abroad for a better living has a racist attitude towards these people ,and please don t say but they re black because in tha fifties the maltese were classed as black by many australians ,so don t be so smug ,after all we re not exactly blonde .
Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior
Aug 10th 2011, 15:36
@ Joseph Mercieca,
Isn’t it true that Australia, like USA, is a land of migrants and therefore you were not an “outsider” when sitting next to the Aussies, in fact you were one of them?
Get the facts right before commenting, please!
JC.
Mr Joe Gatt
Aug 10th 2011, 17:35
JOSEPH mercieca
`I feel dissapointed at the attitude towards migrants by my fellow countrymen and women .I was a migrant in Australia and know what it s like to feel like an outsider`
Did you enter Australia illegally?
Did you not pass thru interviews?
I am sure you passed your medical checks before you emigrated?
Did you expect everything for free, once you got there? Meaning, others paying for your keep?
Did Australia open up imigration and did they have a quota for Maltese Migrants at the time?
But a lot worse to feel like an outsider, in one`s Own Country, there`s nothing worse, but we do try to do our best, For we know that there`s no Free Lunch for Us, The Local Bunch, Mate.
Claire Busuttil
Aug 10th 2011, 17:49
What does colour has to do with this issue???
Victor Pulis
Aug 10th 2011, 19:22
Mr. Mercieca how did you enter Australia? Australia is one of the most rigid countries where illegal migrants are concerned. You entered Australia because that country needed workers and asked for them. You had to prove you had accomodation and could work for your livelhood otherwise you would have found yourself on the next ship/plane out of there.
Romina Borg
Aug 11th 2011, 11:49
Ma nistax x andu x jaqsam il-kulur tal-gilda u lanqas il-fatt li kont l-Awstralja, int l-Awstralja nimmagina ma kontx illegali? u kieku biss kienu ta kulur abjad l-immigranti illegali ta go Malta, mhux xorta illegali? x'kien ser jinbidel?
Ms D Galea
Aug 10th 2011, 13:44
It take two to tango unfortunately.
Mr Joe B Edwards
Aug 10th 2011, 13:41
Integration can only happen if the migrants actively seek it and want it.
Mr Hailie was integrated in Maltese society wasn't he?
Ruby Jenner
Aug 10th 2011, 13:40
"Several migrants said that some Maltese wouldn't let them sit next to them on the bus" I am sorry but that is disgusting and what ever the rights and wrongs of immigration they are our fellow human beings and deserve to be treated as such.
David S.Rizzo
Aug 10th 2011, 15:11
I Honestly have never seen this happen in Malta.
Mr Matthew Abela
Aug 10th 2011, 15:51
I am a daily traveler on Malta's buses and I have never seen this happen. On the other hand I have seen an immigrant FORCING another (white) woman to get up from the seat and calling her 'infidel" , amara(woman) and treathing to kill her. This happened last summer on a bus in tas sliema. Luckily the trouble maker (who was surely a Muslim) was manhandled out of the bus by the driver and 4 others. The woman was so shocked that we had to stop and call an ambulance 3 bus stops later.
Christina Pace
Aug 10th 2011, 16:49
I have not sen it happen cause i don't ride buses anymore. But i have had people move to a different table if i kiss and holding a girl's hand in a cafe. and I am not even an immigrant. so there you go. disgusting bigots.
Claire Busuttil
Aug 10th 2011, 17:51
every day I use the bus.....and never saw such a thing happening....aren`t you realising that these people are playing the victim part for sympathy.....
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 11th 2011, 10:41
Christina Pace apply your gratuitous title to yourself.
Regina Muscat
Aug 10th 2011, 13:40
I am dismayed by the concept that a lack of integration is a wholly negative concept! Should it be a positive thing that our identity is diluted by other nations? Should we all feel obliged to seek partners from overseas, otherwise we will be considered as racist?
All too often, it seems we are criticised that we grumble too much and are not proud to be Maltese, then on the other hand we are criticised for being too proud to be Maltese! I am as open minded and accepting as they come, but surely it is up to expatriates to fit in with our way of life, not the other way round... it is our country!
Mr Paul Borg
Aug 10th 2011, 13:38
Did any of us have any say on where to be born?
Until we start putting ourselves in their shoes we cannot understand.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 11th 2011, 10:42
Mr Paul Borg you can out yourself in their shoes. Go to their own country and live there.
Mr R ferriggi
Aug 10th 2011, 13:33
there are clear signs in all of western europe that the MIGRANTS HAVE NOT integrated because they persist to bring or transport their own cultures lock stock and barrel into the host country.
this is not acceptable.
this is what the maltese fear. we want to preserve our heritage , our culture, our history.
i beleive we assist visitors with all our power and much more.
help, assistance, solidarity, donations YES.
to give up our heritage and culture,,,,, NO.
David S.Rizzo
Aug 10th 2011, 13:23
this study is about legal migrants or illegal ones? In my opinion the main problem is the huge number of migrants. It is very easy for our society to assimilate a few migrants each time but having a huge number of people come to the island all at once is difficult to integrate. If they are Illegal immigrants, it is even harder cause they probably (as this study seems to point out) need further education to be able to cope.
Joanne Micallef
Aug 10th 2011, 13:11
Nothing new really, if one takes a look around one can verify that integration has failed all over Europe not just in Malta.
Mr R ferriggi
Aug 10th 2011, 13:49
prosit.
meaning there is something wrong with the concept of integration itself!!!
they have tried it, and it failed.
it simply cannot work in this world. maybe in heaven yes. in principle, it is a perfect scenario,,,, everyone living in perfect harmony etc etc .
the next thing you know is slums, ghettoes., criminality, bums.
C. Spiteri
Aug 10th 2011, 13:51
Yep - they just have to look at the UK at the moment or France a couple of months back.
Warmer Libri
Aug 10th 2011, 13:07
I think proper education about the advantages of integration has to be given both to immigrants and to the Maltese. The Maltese need more education as the immigrants will be keen to integrate as soon as they can, however the obstacles will be created from the locals(the Maltese). The main target of Jesus is LOVE! why every body does not try to fullfil this target? this love simply means proper dealing and avoidance of any minimal degree of disrimination. The immigrants can be any color, any nationality, any race, any age, any gender! so we should not think to be immigrant you have to be black! this is absolutely wrong! or to be immigrant you have to be african!!! the maltese sometimes look as we shift to the far the right especially those who deal directly with immigrants, and this is horrible and nothing to do with real maltese attitude however it is practiced by a lot of officials who deal directly with these immigrants abusing thier critical need of proper living and being those immigrants have not any alternative oppurtunities!!! the maltese need a lot of education about this issue and we hope both immigrants and teh maltese will look at each other from humantarian point of view! GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Michael Lloyd
Aug 11th 2011, 13:58
But what are these so-called advantages? Dilution of your own culture? Who benefits from that? The fact is that excessive immigration is damaging very many countries. The real problem is the huge numbers of immigrants relative to the population size of the host country.
Richard Ellul
Aug 10th 2011, 13:06
No one can force integration. Let it happen naturally. I lived in Australia for years and immigrants who have been there for more than 30 years or more still live in their close knit communities of their origin because that is their choice. At least Malta allows these illegal immigrants to live here. Let the choices be individual as it should be and not forced upon us by some. These things take time let me assure you as I was an immigrant myself and I felt the same for some time; mainly until one proves himself worthy which takes hard work and effort.
Christina Pace
Aug 10th 2011, 16:51
Well said. If only other people could see 2 sides of the coin too.
Mr Joe Spiteri
Aug 10th 2011, 13:05
Why should Malta be any special? Has integration succeeded in ANY European country?
Most migrants said they would like to leave Malta because they felt unwanted (nobody invited them over), or because they wished to be united with their families (back home and not in Malta, I presume).
Who or what is barring their exit? They would even receive a sum of money for doing so.
Mr N. Agius
Aug 10th 2011, 13:05
In an ideal world, where everyone respects everyone else, multiculturalism can work. However, the latest riots across the UK show also what it can lead to.... and surely we don't want that.
Ruby Jenner
Aug 10th 2011, 19:55
You are very wrong to link the rioting in UK to multicuturism. These are young kids both black and white rebelling against the Police and the Government. Many of them will be from broken homes or dysfunctional families who survive on benefits. They are in general uneducated and out of control.
Mr joseph saliba
Aug 10th 2011, 12:59
It is a pity that no local council rep attended such a seminar. From what is being reported whilst complaining no suggestions were put forward about what should the migrant do in order to integrate with the hosting citizens. What about the idea that the two organisation join forces in an educational campaign about how should the guest and the host (wanted/unwanted) behave in practical situations besides insistiing on the duties and informing them of their rights vis a vis each other. Can also ask the help of local councils.
Ms Louise Vella
Aug 10th 2011, 12:52
“ no representative of any local council had attended, despite being invited”.
Local councils are elected by the people. Councillors are close to the Maltese people and know what the Maltese people think. No doubt the councillors knew what they were doing.
Stefan Zammit
Aug 10th 2011, 12:50
A frequent complaint by the migrants was that they could not follow educational courses because they needed to work in order to maintain themselves. - newsflash it's called life
Censu Filgolli
Aug 10th 2011, 12:48
Question is: why should integration be forced on both parties?
guido cutajar
Aug 10th 2011, 13:18
Simple answer...... There is going to be time that we are going to need these people to work for our and their pension and all other social services. The Maltese families are getting smaller every day, so we need some body to increase the work forces, so taxes will be payed. Love it or hate it, agree or do not, like it or not, that seems to be our future.
D.Stallion stewart
Aug 10th 2011, 13:29
Yes i agree Mr.Cutajar its called PROGRESS.
V Cassar
Aug 10th 2011, 13:30
@ Guido Cutajar, I hope you do realize none of them actually pay National insurance or Tax, they simply get cash at the end of the day.
David S.Rizzo
Aug 10th 2011, 13:36
@ guido cutajar. you might have a point, but I think the fact that maltese families are getting smaller is a good thing, we are heavily populated. The fact that we are so troubled with pensions must be a result of the huge number of children maltese families used to have in the previous decades. In time that problem should fade away. More people does not only mean a bigger workforce, it also means a bigger demands for these services. Plus it doesnt look like we need a bigger workforce, it seems to me we just need more jobs.
V Borg
Aug 10th 2011, 13:42
We need to increase the work forces so taxes will be payed!! come on! we first need a body to regulate the so called 'self-employed' who always pay on minimum earnings!
Malta is over-populated already, maybe fear from most towards immigrants, but if you take a close look at the looting in London you'll see what multi ethnical society gets down to; creating classes , increasing racism and bringing down the economy!
There are loads of honest refugees and asylum seekers but they have to be regulated.
Mr Stanley Fenech
Aug 10th 2011, 14:35
@Guido Cutajar
Time will only show whether such integration will ever be possible. One thing is for sure, forcing any of the party to support integration is not going to do the job. Take a look at the USA, the UK and other countries where similar integrations were somewhat forced and you get the answers. Relations need time to mature and evolve. In a country like ours, I believe it will take even longer due to the nature of our people and the geographical conditions of our country. It is well known and understood that islanders tend to be very protective of their cultures and traditions. And unless these cultures and traditions start to merge (which will take time) there is no way integration can succeed even more so in such a short time.
Mr D Muscat
Aug 10th 2011, 15:23
@G Cutajar
We need skilled labour for jobs which can give a contribution to the national economy. Do you think that having people, 70% of whom have up to a primary level of education, will give a boost to our economy or be a drain? Most of those working work in construction, an industry in a country where 40% of dwellings are empty. Most will not work and will just be eating away at our welfare system. The pensionable age has been raised to 65. Every 5 immigrants not working is the equivalent of a pension lost. This is not counting other costs such as free health services, education, free medicine, free rent etc.
Even if they work, these people will need a pension at the end. Having started working around thirty they will have contributed less if any ( most will have low paid unskilled jobs) to the welfare fund. They will be an additional drain, or are we thinking of chucking them out once they reach sixty five. Think not.
Studies have shown that the unemployment rates and claims to welfare are much higher among immigrants than native workers. Sometimes twice or three times as high. Can't find all the links now but I did post them in the times on previous occasions if you care to look.
Here are some.
In Norway 40% of foreigners were still getting benefits after living for 20years there.
50% of non-western immigrants after 25years.
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/227
http://www.frisch.uio.no/sammendrag/473_eng.html
The figures for the Uk are similar.
The gist of this post is there may be reasons to let them work, but to work for our pension is not one of them..
Mr Joe Gatt
Aug 10th 2011, 15:43
guido cutajar
Then give incentives and Tax Breaks to the Maltese to encourage bigger Families, use our Tax Money to help the Maltese in dire need, and there are quite a few, give free accomodation, Electricity, Water, Medical Services ect.
Personally I tend to believe that the Population should decrease not increase, we are overpopulated as it is already. As the article stated these are being employed/exploited by the construction Industry, which is in a steady decline, this means that most of these imigrants are not qualified, the Contractors are getting away with fraud ie unpaid National Insurance Contributions and Income Tax. Our uninvited guests will be out of work soon.
With the famous formula of Five working and contributing individuals to support quantity One retired Individual, then Imigration should be increased by 500% yearly just to sustain the present and illegal Imigration
Does one realize that most Maltese Work to subsidize further their studies, pay for their accomodation and utilities, and with the present situation in our Hospitals and long waiting lists, have to refer to private medical care too.
Crazy and senceless logic indeed.
Ms Louise Vella
Aug 10th 2011, 12:47
“ migrants feel they were being discriminated upon by the Maltese”.
It’s simple. The Maltese are in their own country called Malta. The illegal immigrants have not been invited to Malta and they are not needed. They are temporarily here until such time as they can go back to their country, hopefully soon.
Salvinu Buttigieg
Aug 10th 2011, 12:59
@Louise Vella@ Yes true but when the Maltese are abroad and in this case the shoe's on the other foot, the host country just do not come up with the same comment as yours. Its silly my dear you give a little and take a little, In my experience as an ex-pat for many years abroad now, i find that all the Maltese want to do is just take or grab with both hands...we call it selfishness and greedy for a small tiny country with very limited inteligence.
wendy isaac
Aug 10th 2011, 13:07
I as a Britain living on Gozo for quite a few years now find that the article above is correct, i hear of many of my colleags complaining about the very same reason, if the Maltese were to get of that high pedistal of theirs and realize that Rome wasen't built in a day and a little patience goes along way, what i think is that some of your teachers in this case for young migrnat's.children are just not qualified enough for the job.and need to go back to basics. No ifs and buts please. think about it you know it makes sence.This just wouldn't happen in other eu countries ONLY IN MALTA getting too big for its boots.
Sean Grima
Aug 10th 2011, 13:09
Invitation or otherwise is irrelevant. The point is that they are entitled to apply for asylum, and stay here until the application is decided, and after if it is accepted.
Sean Grima
Aug 10th 2011, 13:09
Invitation or otherwise is irrelevant. The point is that they are entitled to apply for asylum, and stay here until the application is decided, and after if it is accepted.
Mr Ismael Azzopardi
Aug 10th 2011, 13:25
Well said.
D.Stallion stewart
Aug 10th 2011, 13:33
some people will call such attitude Racism, somthing that really exists in Malta, but then again it also exists in Aussie and the UK against the maltese, known asthe Wogs! from s.europe.
Patricia Borg
Aug 10th 2011, 13:38
Where does it say 'illegal' immigrants??? It is attitudes like the one you have just displayed Ms. Vella which portray the Maltese in this racist light, please believe me as a nation you are not doing yourselves any favours with comments like yours following a study on how integration has failed. Whose fault is the failure? It seems to me based on the article that the migrants are the ones attempting to form part of the communities around Malta whereas the Maltese..... 'Several migrants said some Maltese did not allow them to sit near them on the buses'
Ms D Galea
Aug 10th 2011, 13:42
Anyone who is conversant with what is written in the Gospels as your goodself is, should know that it is our Christian duty to assist our neighbour, irrespective of the colour of his skin or his provenience. Educators have a sacrosant duty to ensure that their pupils are taught such basic Christian values.
Mr David Bonello
Aug 10th 2011, 14:05
Agree with you Ms Vella. The sooner they go the better. Nobody can force us to integrate with these illegal immigrants. We want to stay MALTESE!!!
Andrew Azzopardi
Aug 10th 2011, 14:53
Have you got any family in Australia who had left, when Malta was in a crisis? Have you ever travelled anywhere and felt discrimated against?
Think before you comment!
I do hope that you will never ever need to resort to drastic measures such as boating across the mediterranean to find work!
PS: Yet, something needs to be done to help malta and also the migrants. What about actually employing them properly to fix and our roads? because us Maltese are doing an exceptionally bad job!
Ms D Galea
Aug 10th 2011, 15:17
One hopes that these racist sentiments are not being transmitted to Maltese school children by their educators.
D.Stallion stewart
Aug 10th 2011, 15:23
With due respect Louise Vella the people you call illegals or immigrants are humans same as you and me, they breathe the same air and eat when they are hungry, they also have have a mother and a father so what's your problem why the Hate???when i hear this sort of comments i sometimes wish my family didn't orignate from Malta.
Mr Joseph Calleja
Aug 10th 2011, 18:12
To all of you trying to freeload on this subject. Ms Vella, like you, is entitled to her opinion whether you like it or not. Nobody can force you to like anybody you don't like, that is what democracy is all about. freedom of speech and I do believe that we still have that privilege in Malta. I don't see any of you harboring any of these illegal immigrants in your homes so they can integrate with your sons and daughters. Let me know when you do. Ngo's and such get good money to house and feed all these people and most of that comes from Tax Payers Money. So as a Tax payer, Ms Vella, like yourselves, have a right to speak her mind even if it doesn't satisfy your thinking.
Ms Louise Vella
Aug 10th 2011, 12:43
UNHCR is here described as an NGO. This is probably right because it is behaving like an NGO. UNHCR is supposed to be the UN agency for refugees. We all know what refugees are. They are temporary residents exceptionally allowed to live in a country that is not their own. What business does UNHCR have to do with integration?
Andrew schembri
Aug 10th 2011, 12:42
"Studies confirm how integration between the Maltese and migrants is not happening" and that's how it should remain.
Kevin Formosa
Aug 10th 2011, 12:41
And will not happen....otherwise the people of malta are all traitors to their country!!! Hope God help us on this one
Kevin Formosa
Aug 10th 2011, 12:32
And will not happen....otherwise the people of malta are all traitors to their country!!! Hope God help us on this one
John Scerri
Aug 10th 2011, 12:29
Most locals and employers discriminate only between coloured migrants and non- coloured.
Migrants are classified in two groups which are white skin and coloured skin .
There is no need to beat about the bush ..this is the true fact.
Example : Most Locals do not mind being served at a restaurant by pale faced waitresses from Bulgaria, Rumania, Russia etc , but :(( happens when waiting staff are dark coloured from Ghana , Somalia , Eritrea.
To cut a long story short ...coloured migrants are not welcome by most Locals just because of the colour of their skin and nothing more.
Had all migrants been pale faced the picture would be very very different.
Reuben Abela
Aug 10th 2011, 12:24
Isn't it obvious ?
Mr A Spiteri
Aug 10th 2011, 12:15
just as integration failed elsewhere in the world and also throughout history...mrs taylor!