Non-EU nationals living in Malta have almost doubled since 2005, totalling 20,400, according to Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli.
The vast majority were from EU states, Dr Dalli said, emphasising that it was time to accept that such people were here to stay.
“We cannot continue to bury our head in the sand. It is not an option. We need to discuss migration in a mature way to achieve the best outcome for both Maltese and migrants.
“Diversity must become our strength rather than a source of contention,” Dr Dalli told a conference organised by the International Office for Migration yesterday.
Describing Malta as “a nation of migration par excellence”, Dr Dalli stressed that migration was part of humankind’s history and was not a new phenomenon.
She launched a website (www.integration.gov.mt) to facilitate immigrants’ lives. It is dedicated entirely to integration, providing essential information ranging from entry and residence requirements to education and accommodation.
The website, which also seeks to facilitate interaction among migrant communities, is part of a project with the IOM and is accompanied by brochures entitled Living in Malta, published in six languages including Arabic, Chinese and Russian. The project is financed by the EU’s Integration Fund.
“We have to better understand emerging needs related to migration and integration, in order to draw up a sensible plan for us to be equipped to meet the challenges ahead,” Dr Dalli said, adding that the next step for her ministry was to set up an integration unit.
Diversity must become our strength rather than a source of contention
This effort lays the ground for what IOM is calling a ‘one-stop-shop’ where migrant needs are assisted.
IOM submitted to the government a 170-page report on its set-up, based on experiences in other countries to address the need for coordination and harmonisation of all services pertaining to immigration, residence, employment and integration of non-EU residents.
The efforts made, Dr Dalli said, would depend on Cabinet working together to reach the country’s integration goals, adding efforts were being made for closer interministerial cooperation.
The IOM report states that research conducted last year on the state of play of integration of non-EU residents in Malta stressed the importance of consolidating a national long-term vision of integration supported by concrete practices by relevant stakeholders.
The report proposes organisational modalities for the operation of a ‘one-stop-shop’, including the provisions for information sharing by the relevant stakeholders.
The project invites the participation of the Civil Liberties Ministry, the Social Solidarity Ministry, the Directorate for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs, the Employment and Training Corporation, the General Workers’ Union, the University of Malta, the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations, local councils and civil society.
The need for the creation of a ‘one-stop-shop’ to respond to concerns and challenges towards immigrant integration results from the recognition that service dispersion is one of the reasons why immigrants lack information about their rights, duties and necessary procedures, according to IOM.
The organisation said a ‘one-stop-shop’ could serve to reduce contradictory and insufficient information and boost immigrants’ trust in public administration services.
The lack of assistance given to non-EU residents, particularly new arrivals, was “of major concern”, the IOM said.
For this to be achieved, structural reforms must be done to provide a service to all citizens and residents, according to the report.
It also pointed out that the development of a ‘one-stop-shop’ was already happening in Malta with Identity Malta and Business First.
However, stakeholders must also value the participation of non-EU residents in society and provide integration services that benefit all residents regardless of nationality, the IOM said.