Discrimination à la Maltais

Malta has always been a multi-ethnic country, but never more than now. Membership in the European Union has brought with it the concept of freedom of movement, and we have seen a large influx of EU nationals from all the other 27 member states, choosing not only to retire, but also to live, study and work here.

As MEP representatives, I believe our job is to not only represent Maltese nationals but also the considerable community of nationals from other EU member states living in Malta, who have their own needs and unique set of circumstances which have brought them to our island.

Unfortunately and all too often, we only tend to hear about this community in negative terms. Try as we might to think of ‘a united Europe’, it is a fact that cannot be escaped that cultural and xenophobic barriers still divide us, and the idea of the ‘foreigner’ who has the same rights as a Maltese is still hard to swallow for many people. 

One still comes across those who tell nationals who are not Maltese to ‘go back where they came from’ or who accuse them of ‘taking our jobs’; the kind of mentality which goes completely against the very spirit of the EU. This is a mental hurdle that cannot be eradicated overnight and indeed (while not excusing it), one has to point out that this anti-foreigner mindset can still be found in countries that have been member states far longer than we have. 

It is, of course, highly ironic that one sometimes comes across the same people who voted Yes for EU membership who now complain about ‘all these foreigners’. Perhaps this is the starkest indication that, despite all the information campaigns prior to the referendum in 2004, many people did not fully comprehend what becoming a part of the EU would mean in real terms.

On their part, European nationals often complain that they are victims of discrimination in Malta. Two specific instances come to mind: once when a class action suit was brought against ARMS for its two-tier tariff system and another when the discriminatory bus rates were challenged, both of which threw our country into a very negative light at European level.

The bus fares issue, a result of the disastrous Arriva agreement entered into by former Transport Minister Austin Gatt, allowed for foreigners to be charged at a higher rate than Maltese, bringing about a ridiculous state of affairs every time someone who did not appear to be Maltese - usually blonde or black - boarded a bus.

It was an unacceptable situation which led to outrage at the blatant discrimination, and which has since been rectified by this government. In fact, I can safely say that the Labour party has already done more to help ex-pats at ground level than the previous administration, because rather than, for example, sweeping the discriminatory water and electricity rates under the carpet, this government has actually done something tangible about it by making the application for the residential rate by ex-pats who are in a rental property more straightforward.

Of course, a lot more still needs to be done and this is where the relevance of representation at EP level comes in. An MEP can and should serve as a bridge between what is allowed under European legislation and what actually takes place on a national level where certain practices have not come into line with the reality of what being an EU member state entails.

I believe that rather than trying to ‘shame’ our country by going to the European Parliament to ‘tell on Malta’ as the Nationalist MEPs insist on doing at every turn, on issues which fall under national jurisdiction, an MEP should use his/her position to ensure that all those who come to reside here are meted equal treatment.  We need to use our seat as a way of truly fostering a mutually beneficial environment based on respect for other cultures and people, in recognition that this is a Europe where people travel freely, move homes easily and can decide to set up residence (even if only for a few years) in any member state of their choice.

Malta cannot and should not be singled out as a country where taking up residence is a bureaucratic nightmare fraught with loopholes, unnecessary technicalities and discriminatory practices which are downright illegal.

Let us not forget that, according to EU legislation, the freedom of movement Directive was designed ‘… to encourage Union citizens to exercise their right to move and reside freely within Member States, to cut back administrative formalities to the bare essentials, to provide a better definition of the status of family members, to limit the scope for refusing entry or terminating the right of residence and to introduce a new right of permanent residence.’

This government is already on the right path in this regard because it has already tackled several issues which were long left dormant by the Nationalist administration, and it will continue to work in the interest of nationals from other member states who wish to make Malta their home.
On the other hand, those aspiring to represent Malta  in the European Parliament must not forget that they are also representing the ‘foreigners’ from the other member states that live and work here. The game played at the EP is quite different from that played in national parliaments, precisely because the scope of representation extends beyond national borders. And that is why we cannot and must not treat persons from other member states any different from how Maltese nationals are treated. Likewise, we expect Maltese nationals to be treated equally as the citizens in any of the member state they choose to work and live in.

It is most ironic to have witnessed the Nationalist party, the very same party in government which marketed our membership in the EU with ‘at-all cost’ aggression, is the same party that introduced discriminatory measures against ‘foreigners’, opposed equal civil rights to those with broken marriages, and opposed civil rights to those in the LGBTI group.

Without losing our identity as Maltese, and without forgetting that as MEPs we must be vigilant of any law an regulation which affects our country and constituents, we must not do it be creating a ‘ them and us’  attitude in our own country. Otherwise, one can only conclude that we have understood absolutely nothing of what the spirit of the Union states. And that would be a great pity.

Marlene Mizzi is a PL MEP candidate. www.mizzimarlene.com