Malta benefitted from migrants because they have benefitted from the country, the General Workers’ Union said.

The union said migrants carried out work that was not being done by Malta’s work force, benefitting them but ultimately also benefitting the country.

“There was general concern that this group of people would take Maltese jobs and it would lead to higher unemployment for Maltese nationals (but) this has proved not to be the case. Unemployment, whilst rising and falling, was affected by the world and local recession but has not been adversely influenced by people seeking asylum from Sub-Saharan Africa,” said the GWU.

It spoke strongly against illegal employment, which, it said, led to the abuse of workers.

“There is anecdotal evidence that there are a number of persons working in an unregulated way. They themselves may see this as easier or indeed necessary but the GWU notes the inherent dangers: There is no insurance cover (and) health and safety is often not part of the working practice.”

Holidays, sick leave and bonuses was not be paid and the country lost much-needed finance by not receiving employers and employees contributions, it said, pointing out that wages were often below the national minimum. The union stressed its anti-racism stand, ­saying it “is fully prepared to fight this evil with any and all means at its disposal. No person, no matter what race they come from, should be discriminated against. There are many choices in life but some things are not chosen and the colour of one’s skin is a prime example. Human beings come in many different forms: black, white, brown, tall, short, fat, thin, old, gay, transsexual, male (and) female. But they all have one thing in common, they are human beings,” it said.

“Diversity is not an option, it is a reality. It is with us and has been for some considerable time. The GWU has a duty and a conviction to stand up and be counted as a force for the better understanding of the realities of multiculturalism. Many strangers who live and work among and alongside us are here not by choice but by pure ­necessity. They need our help and understanding as we need their help to understand them better.”