Third-country nationals are yet again victims of the government’s latest actions

Comments

1. 

   Banquo

   August 1, 2024

   The comments under the Times of Malta article you link to are as depressing as the prime minister’s interview. Prime Minister Robert Abela has read the populist mood and delivered a message of foreigner-expulsion. The anti-foreigner brigade now cheer “about time!” or “it’s thanks to the Opposition that you have finally taken this step”.

   No matter that all the foreigners in question have an honest job, work more than an honest day’s work, pay full taxes and are now being left in the lurch. The important thing is that we kick foreigners out in a nativist frenzy.

   The Opposition shares the blame with the government for this humanitarian disaster in which ordinary individuals lose livelihoods and savings. It has been complaining about ‘too many foreigners’ for years, even if the said foreigners are all gainfully employed. Now, the Opposition is in the sad position of not being able to stand up for the rights of ordinary workers because it has already tacitly committed itself to expelling people out of the country by generating extreme anti-foreigner sentiment.

   Let us be clear. These people are not in Malta to suck off the public teat (like many Maltese nationals do without shame). Even if they were brought to Malta under false pretences, they are here to work hard and provide for themselves and their families, while at the same time contributing to much needed services and resources in Malta, from building to nursing to waiting tables, and delivering goods.

   Shame on all those who, from a privileged position, bring and expel people to and from Malta for economic and political gains without thinking for a second about the humanitarian costs and the destroyed lives. Compare that to the kid-gloves process by which Edward Scicluna is treated. Suspended but still getting fully paid. Unlike Mr Scicluna, your plasterer has probably never been charged with a crime, yet he will unceremoniously be thrown out of the country while the government can find no way to make the life of a man who allegedly facilitated the theft of 100s of millions of euros from the public purse difficult.

   Here’s an idea. Can we keep all the hard-working, go-getting and entrepreneurial Y-plate, delivery, construction, catering and nursing Asian, South American and African workers in the country and exchange them for the endlessly preening but eternally unproductive and useless Edward Scicluna? Scicluna has done nothing of note for this country in 77 years of existence. A 26-year-old Bangladeshi Wolt driver will risk his life to bring you a pizza to your door before it turns cold.

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2. 

   Wish

   August 2, 2024

   I agree.

   Reply
3. 

   This is not the way how to govern the country – Mark Camilleri

   August 2, 2024

   […] vulnerable working-class third-country nationals have once again become victims to the infantile behaviour of our […]

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