Genuine refugees of good conduct ought to be able to apply for Maltese citizenship after five years instead of 10, the Emigrants Commission has said. 

The Commission proposal stems from the fact that refugees - who are legally entitled to live in Malta indefinitely - are having their resettlement applications rejected by United Nations refugee agency UNHCR. 

It suggested that citizenship be made available only to refugees whose families have had no run-ins with the law and who have found jobs and homes.  

The Commission proposal was one of several it made this morning. Today is World World Refugee Day. 

Among the Commission's other proposals: 

• Those granted subsidiary protection ought to be given the opportunity to be reunified with their spouses and children - provided they have lived in Malta for more than five years, have had no run-ins with the law and have been in regular employment for at least three years. 
  
  
• Those granted subsidiary protection should be given the opportunity of applying for Maltese citizenship after 10 years, provided they are of good conduct, live independently and have been employed for at least five consecutive years
  
  
• Asylum seekers denied international protection and who have been in Malta for more than five years should have their status re-examined, to ensure they can live a dignified life

• Migrant workers who pay social security contributions ought to be granted the same rights and benefits as Maltese workers in the same situation. Benefits should also extend to migrants hurt on the workplace and migrants living with a disability.
  
  
• Problems related to the issuing of travel documents for those without temporary protection must be resolved 

• The marriage registry ought to reform its procedures to allow those without protection to get married even if they are unable to obtain a birth certificate from their home country, much as it currently does with  those enjoying humanitarian protection

• Refugees should be helped to be reunified with their families within three months of them obtaining refugee status.