People’s fear of losing their job to migrants needed to be addressed while ensuring that workers of all nationalities were treated justly, Social Dialogue Minister Helena Dalli said yesterday.

“It would be unjust to dismiss the fears of Maltese nationals about the loss of jobs in certain sectors. Instead, we should investigate these claims, and put the necessary solutions in place,” she told a seminar organised by the International Organisation for Migration which focused on the integration of immigrant families.

“Similarly we need to try to walk in the shoes of those migrants who live in Malta, whether as third country nationals, refugees or beneficiaries of inter­national protection.”

While the government was addressing precarious work conditions, it would continue to address the fears of those who claimed that migration was a direct threat to their livelihood, she said.

Similarly we need to try to walk in the shoes of those migrants who live in Malta

“But we also need to ensure that migrant and Maltese workers are treated justly in employment as in all other spheres of life. My government will not shy away from introducing other measures to ensure that no one’s em­ploy­ment prospects suffer,” she said.

During the conference, speakers shared good practices from other EU member states while Dr Dalli noted that migration remained a contentious topic in Malta.

“Some Maltese fear that the persistent migration flow has negatively im­pacted their lives and the quality of life of their children and future generations.

Several have been vocal on online comment boards against the arrival of more migrants and the prospects of migrants settling in Malta, she said.

“We all stand to benefit from getting our migration policy right, managing its flow and creating the right set-up for the integration of those who live and work in Malta,” Dr Dalli said, noting that, unfortunately, the words ‘problem’ and ‘migration’ were often used interchangeably.