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While walking along the Sliema promenade this week, I couldn’t help but notice a number of Asians who were sitting at a small stall selling anything from paintings to imitation jewellery and more. I managed to count five of them during a thirty-minute walk.
My question is - are these people in Malta legally and are they legally permitted to set up shop in this way (it seems that legal eagles like IM Beck, does not enjoy walking the front very often!)?
My concern runs deeper as the implications can be an indication of the structural problems in Malta, generally regarding employment. If these people are managing to eke out an (illegal) living, perhaps meagre, from this ‘business,’ they are simply taking work away from Maltese citizens. May I remind you that in Malta's negotiations with the EU we were able to obtain a derogation regarding foreign (EU) workers.
Most Maltese witness on a daily basis, throughout the island, foreign workers whose legal status can appear dubious, to say the least.
Some questions can be safely directed to the social partners in Malta; Trade Unions, The Employers Association, Chamber of Commerce et al. What is your position about illegal employment of foreigners (and Maltese) in Malta, has any research been conducted to obtain a clear picture of the situation, how many jobs to the Maltese people is this costing us and what is the impact on our economy? It would also be wise for our political parties and potential MEP’s to consider the problem, I am aware that Mr Norman Lowell has raised this issue, albeit in a rather extreme way.
The objective of this letter is not to incite any form of hatred, racism towards anyone, it is simply to raise awareness, create discussion and clarify a situation which could lead to the creation of more jobs for Maltese.
Jesmond Farrugia
St Julians
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