I have been keeping my peace since I wrote a spate of letters to the local press before the last election in March on the subject of irregular migration and can keep silent no more.
A spate of ‘hate’ letters published in all the local newspapers by so called Catholic, church-going people urging the Government to stop rescuing migrants in distress at sea, such as the letter by Mary Grech on 24 August, are an almost daily occurrence.
When are the people going to understand that it is NOT an option to just let migrants drown, no matter what laws they have broken? When are people like Ms Grech and many others going to realize that as members of the EU we have an obligation not to let them drown, to say nothing of our moral obligations as Catholics. Or is being a Catholic just words and not action?
Who says these migrants are ‘undesirables’? And undesired by whom? I encounter many migrants in the course of my job, working on construction sites, collecting rubbish and doing other, sundry jobs most Maltese would rather not do; and I have to say that in most instances they do the job better and with more pride than their Maltese counterparts. And this is what most people are afraid of; that migrants will take their jobs because they can do the job better. These migrants have to endure the ridicule and name calling of their Maltese co-workers who call them all kinds of insulting names, and they just get on with their jobs, trying to do an honest day’s work, legally: work most Maltese are unwilling or too lazy to do. Who says they don’t contribute anything to the economy and the country? I would dare to say the people who don’t want them here are afraid of change. Positive change and evolution away from the sheltered lives we led in the past where the sight of a black person was an abnormal occurrence. Away from the security of knowing there is no one else to do the job therefore doing it lazily in full knowledge that they won’t be sacked. Well, wake up. It is the 21st century and competition is here and here to stay. If not from African migrants it will be from Europeans who will soon be able to work here unhindered by work permits. Being part of the EU has two sides and we have to accept them both – the good and the bad (not to mention the ugly).
Regarding ‘our forces being stretched to the limit’; this is a sweeping statement from Ms Grech. Our forces are just doing what they are paid to do out of our taxes. They are doing what they signed up to do and if they don’t like it they can always resign and get a real job like the rest of us. The armed forces in most other countries would be expected to put their lives on the line to defend their country and do it with pride. Yes, the armed forces have their hands full but it is their duty to rescue migrants in distress at sea.
Regarding becoming a minority in our own country, don’t make me laugh Ms Grech, this is never going to happen and it is exactly this scaremongering that is used by racists the world over to try and frighten the rest of the population into taking action, usually violently against migrants and foreigners. History is full of such instances. Also, these people never admit to being ‘racist’ but most certainly are, as evidenced by their actions. It is no use denying being a racist but acting like one. Have the guts to admit what you really are.
On a final note, please Ms Grech, don’t take this letter personally. It is not only directed at you but at all people who are afraid of change, of multiculturalism, racists and anyone who thinks we should just let the migrant drown at sea – so they will get the message, and I am sure that unfortunately, there are many Catholic people here in Malta who subscribe to this view.
Don’t bother trying to ridicule me, insult me or take me to task because of the views I have expressed in this letter as it is my democratic right to do so and the Editor of this paper is allowing me to exert this right. Anyway, for the next few weeks I will be away, so sorry, I won’t be able to read your hate responses in the paper if published. I need to get away from the paranoia here, especially the fireworks going on till midnight every weekend. And don’t forget, shock/horror we will soon have a Black President of the United States. Is the world is coming to its senses at last?

Phillip Micallef
Sliema