Foreign citizens in Malta half the EU average

The Malta Independent on line

by Noel Grima

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98847

Foreign citizens accounted for 6.2 per cent of the total EU27 population, figures revealed by Eurostat yesterday show.

On 1 January 2008, 30.8 million foreign citizens lived in the EU27 Member States, of which 11.3 million were citizens of another EU27 Member state. The remaining 19.5 million were citizens of countries outside the EU27, of which 6.0 million were citizens of other European countries, 4.7 million of Africa, 3.7 million of Asia and 3.2 million of the American continent.

But the same figures also reveal that Malta has only 3.8 per cent of its population that are foreign. This amounts to 15,000 persons of whom 8,000 are members of another EU member state and 7,000 come from outside the EU.

In 2008, the largest numbers of foreign citizens were recorded in Germany (7.3 million persons), Spain (5.3 million), the United Kingdom (4.0 million), France (3.7 million) and Italy (3.4 million). More than 75 per cent of the foreign citizens in the EU27 lived in these Member States.

Among the EU27 Member States, the highest percentage of foreign citizens in the population was found in Luxembourg (43 per cent of the total population), followed by Latvia (18 per cent), Estonia (17 per cent), Cyprus (16 per cent), Ireland (13 per cent), Spain (12 per cent) and Austria (10 per cent). The percentage of foreign citizens was less than 1 per cent in Romania, Poland, Bulgaria and Slovakia.

In 2008, 37 per cent of the foreign citizens living in the EU27 were citizens of another EU27 Member state. The largest groups were from Romania (1.7 million or 15 per cent of the total number of foreign citizens from another EU Member State), Italy (1.3 million or 11 per cent) and Poland (1.2 million or 11 per cent).

Among the citizens of countries outside the EU27, the largest groups were from Turkey (2.4 million or 12 per cent of the total number of foreign citizens from countries outside the EU27), Morocco (1.7 million or 9 per cent) and Albania (1.0 million or 5 per cent).

The origin of the population of foreign citizens varied greatly between Member States. In six Member States, the largest single group of foreign citizens accounted for more than 30 per cent of the total foreign population.

The Member States with the highest percentage of foreign citizens from one single country were Greece (64 per cent of foreign citizens were from Albania), Slovenia (47 per cent from Bosnia and Herzegovina), Hungary (37 per cent from Romania) and Luxembourg (37 per cent from Portugal). In Latvia, 90 per cent of the population of foreign citizens were recognised non-citizens

In Malta’s case, the largest amount of foreign citizens come from the UK: 4,100 persons or 26.5 per cent of all foreign citizens, followed by 900 persons from India (6 per cent) and 800 persons from Serbia (5.6 per cent).


Independent on line
17th December 2009
Unemployment stands at 7,521
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98849

The full-time gainfully occupied population in July totalled 144,960, down by 1,747 when compared to the previous year. Unemployment stands at 7,521.

In July 2009, the administrative records of the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) showed a drop of 1,747 persons in the full-time gainfully occupied population when compared to the corresponding month in 2008. Concurrently, the number of registered unemployed increased by 1,563, to 7,521.



Full-time Employment

In the 12 months to July, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in manufacturing fell by 2,377 (10.3 per cent). This decline in manufacturing comprised 1,695 men and 682 women. Likewise, the full-time gainfully occupied persons in hotels and restaurants dropped by 602 (5.7 per cent). This reduction in jobs in hotels and restaurants affected 320 men and 282 women. There was also a drop of 163 full-time gainfully occupied persons in electricity, gas and water supply (5.4 per cent). This balance was the result of a decrease of 184 men and an increase of 21 women.

Contrarily, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in real estate, renting and business activities went up by 788 (5.8 per cent) to 14,471. This expansion, which effectively involved computer and related activities and other business activities, led to an increase of 473 men and 315 women. This branch of the economy includes, among other activities, software consultancy and supply, accounting and auditing activities, tax consultancy, labour recruitment agencies, investigation and security activities and industrial cleaning. Further growth in full-time employment occurred in community, social and personal service activities (+321 persons) or 4.3 per cent and health and social work (+228 persons) or 2.3 per cent.

Overall, between July 2008 and July 2009, there was a decrease of 1,418 (3.4 per cent) full-time jobs in the public sector, and another drop of 329 (0.3 per cent) full-time jobs in the private sector.



Part-time Employment

Meanwhile, the number of registered part-time jobs for the month under review totalled 50,632, an increase of 1,774 with respect to the corresponding month last year.

In the 12 months to July, the main increase in part-time employment took place in education (+604 persons) and wholesale and retail trade (+405 persons).

The increase in part-time jobs in education comprised 266 persons whose part-time job was their primary occupation. The respective increase for the wholesale and retail trade sector was 288.

Independent on line
17th December 2009
PL concerned at 7,521 jobless figure
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98850

Labour Party deputy leader Anglu Farrugia, party spokesman for parliamentary affairs, said the National Office of Statistics is confirming the disquieting situation in the employment sector – the number of gainfully employed persons has gone down by 1,700 and the number of registered unemployed is now 7,521.

The Labour Party, he added, is concerned that the number of full-time employed persons has declined by more than 10 per cent, with the tourism sector registering the worst performance.

At the same time there has been an increase in the number of persons whose only income is from part-time work. With this situation staring him in the face, Lawrence Gonzi has again raised the energy tariffs and introduced a drainage tax, Dr Farrugia said.

Independent on line
17th December 2009
Doll wrapped in rags laid in empty manger
by Elaine Attard
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98851


Someone could not stand the sight of the empty manger in the crib put up at Marsaskala playing field, so an old doll wrapped in rags was put in to fill the space.

It was not exactly what the local council had in mind, but the thought behind the gesture was not outrageous – the baby Jesus did not have rich trappings for swaddling clothes, after all.

The manger had no occupant, when the doll was put in, for a reason – the life size model of the baby Jesus had been stolen.

The crib, made of recycled materials, was constructed by Joseph Barbara and was to be inaugurated on Friday. That is when the theft occurred. Mr Barbara provided another baby Jesus by the afternoon just before the inauguration.

After the inauguration, Marsaskala mayor Mario Calleja took the new baby Jesus away, to store it at the local council’s offices and prevent it from being stolen again. The plan was to put it back in the manger on Christmas Eve.

Then came the very resourceful unknown individual who felt the manger couldn’t be left empty during advent, and laid the old doll wrapped in sacks.

“Both the doll and the sacks were probably going to be thrown away, so they really blend with the theme of the crib made from recyclable material. We are really happy that Marsaskala residents took this initiative because it shows that our campaign to encourage people to reduce, reuse and recycle is working,” said the mayor.

As a footnote: a plastic model of baby Jesus was stolen earlier this week from a crib put up on the central strip on Manuel Dimech Bridge.


Independent on line
17th December 2009

Worrying statistics which should be heeded
Editorial
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98858

Malta recently fared well in a statistical exercise conducted by the EU’s Eurostat agency. The injury mortality rate in Malta is 26.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Put into language one will understand, this accounts for 3.9 per cent of all causes of death in Malta.

However, it also came to light that 23 per cent of Malta’s road accident fatalities involve motorcyclists. Even more worrying is that fact that the percentage of accidents involving pedestrians is only slightly lower. Both figures are higher than the European Union average and where motorcyclists are concerned, Malta has the highest rate amongst all participating countries.

Last weekend, there were three deaths and one person is still in a critical condition as a result of a head on collision, while a woman was also run over by a bus.

Out of the three deaths, one woman was on a zebra crossing. The other two were an elderly husband and wife who were killed when a car being driven by an 18-year-old smashed into them in St Paul’s Bay. The person who was involved in the head on collision was a motorcyclist – the pattern is clear.

Something, somewhere is very wrong and it seems to be our roads and the way we use them. It is very evident that this is the case as Malta fared well overall in relation to accidents, but trails far behind in relation to road safety.

This newspaper already published an editorial about the escalating number of victims on our roads – over 20 this year, a record year. But we feel that it is our duty to write about it again as the statistics which were issued back up the arguments we raised in the last one.

We will again reiterate the dangers of allowing an 18-year-old to obtain a licence for a 1.6 litre turbocharged monster. Most drivers with 15 years experience are still apprehensive of driving such high-powered cars. It makes one wonder how we can allow such things to happen. We will ask this question: How can a greenhorn driver, fresh out of lessons and euphoric in passing their test, be trusted with such a vehicle. As we mentioned in our last editorial, they have neither the restraint, skill or experience to handle such vehicles.

It is clear that authorities must really crack down on roadhogs. There are plenty of them and what is clearly needed is a much tougher approach by the police and wardens. Perhaps it is time for more legislation to get tough on people who seem to think that the roads are their own personal race track.

Motorcyclists are another kettle of fish. They are of course vulnerable on the road, they have no protection. But one must also mention the crazy speed freaks that zip in and out of traffic and overtake on blind corners. It is such a waste of life.

We stick to our guns in saying that the law really needs to get tough on people who flout the law, but we will again raise the argument – should young drivers (or motorcyclists) be restricted to a small-cylinder engine? The answer would have to be an emphatic yes. We are not saying that the legal driving age should be raised, but what we are saying is that, perhaps until they turn 25, young motorists should be restricted to a 1.2 litre engine for cars and low cc engine on motorcycles.

Will it be a foolproof system – no. Will it please younger motorists – no. Will it save lives? Yes.

Independent on line
17th December 2009
Primary care in Malta
by Anthony P Azzopardi
Letters
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98860


At present the Primary Care system in Malta is run by two systems: The polyclinic (health centre) system, which is free at the point of delivery, and the private family doctor service (against payment).

The former is undermanned to the extent that some health centres have to close in the evenings and at night. The service provided by the medical professionals at these health centres is episodic in that it provides no continuity of care since frequently the doctor has to refer patients to secondary care (i.e. to Accident and Emergency or to consultants in hospital). The setup at health centres cannot guarantee that he/she will follow-up a particular patient.

However health centre doctors have access to several facilities which are still being denied to private family doctors. Family doctors working only in private practice cannot order several blood tests such as specific tests for diabetes (the “national” disease), for thyroid malfunction or to screen for cancer of the prostate. Unlike their colleagues working at health centres, they are unable to view results of X-rays, CT scans or blood tests results online. Thus, they too have to frequently refer patients to secondary care just to obtain these tests or the results thereof.

This “unnecessary” referral to secondary care is an added burden on government health expenditure. The government has just issued the “costs” of visits/appointments and procedures carried out at Mater Dei Hospital. An Accident and Emergency consultation costs e46.59, whilst an outpatient consultation costs e34.94. Add to this the loss of time (and the value of this loss of time) to the patient and to whoever accompanies him for the several times required to finally get the result. One must then multiply the resultant sum by the number of patients who need not have accessed secondary care in the first place.

The Reform in Primary Care announced recently addresses these issues.

So is the reform a cost-cutting exercise? Of course it is!

In all fairness however, this is not the only aim of the reform, which has long been overdue. For one thing it should reduce hospital waiting lists, which would leave more time for consultants to attend to other cases that really require hospital consultant care.

We welcome the commitment by government to reform this important sector. However, there are issues which will need to be discussed, elaborated and possibly amended. We make it clear that we are apolitical.

Government has been so clear in those aspects which relate to its part: Registration for everybody is compulsory. An 24/7/365 cover is envisaged. Group practices are to be set up; quality assurance will be mandatory. Clinical audits and practice accreditation will be required.

It is not at all clear how these responsibilities, all extra to the present family doctor’s set-ups, will be financed and managed by the doctors. We are not sure how clear government is either.

Nothing is free. In the consultation document there is no mention of where the substantial funds required to set up practices, employ staff and to improve facilities are to come from.

The systems in three countries have been quoted as examples, The Netherlands, Denmark and the UK. Will the Maltese government match the financial commitments made by the respective governments to make their systems work? Vague statements are not good enough.

Access to secondary care and to the social services will be only through doctors who agree to participate in the scheme. This is reasonable – to an extent. But what about the patients whose doctor/s do not choose to participate in this new system? Will they be denied what is theirs by right?

We are ready to participate in discussions with the Health Department, as we have been doing all along, for as long as it takes. But does this whole system have to be up and running before we can order more investigations and access results on our patients’ behalf? This would reap immediate benefits. On the other hand, the provision of these facilities, which after all benefit the patient, should not be like carrots dangled in front of private family doctors to entice them to participate. Once the technology is presently available these are the rights of the patients – whoever their doctor is.

Private family doctors will be the linchpins in running the system. If they do not accept it and what it entails, then it will not even take off. However, we are confident that reason will prevail and that no hurried “reforms” would be launched until all the above points, and others, are thrashed out.



Anthony P Azzopardi

President of the Association of Private Family Doctors


Di-Ve
17th December 2009
4 migrants lose human rights case
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com

Court




http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67693&newscategory=34

The Constitutional Court, presided over by Mr Justice Tonio Mallia, has thrown out a plea by 4 irregular migrants who said that their detention infringed their human rights.
It noted that some of their complaints – such as potatoes in their food being too white and that they had too little sauce on their food – were too banal to even consider.

“While they have a right to insist that their stay is comfortable, when the Court hears such things, it has to question the seriousness of their complaints,” he said.

Essa Maneh from Gambia, Stephen Anyiam from Nigeria, Emanuel Onyaka Udem from Nigeria and Austin Jimmy from Nigeria filed a case against the Police Commissioner and the Home Affairs Minister asking the Court to order their immediate release.

Mr Maneh and Mr Anyiam arrived in Malta from Libya on the same boat in June 2008 while Mr Udem and Mr Jimmy arrived in September 2008. All 4 were put straight into detention at Hal Safi, where they remain to this day. They applied for refugee status when they arrived.

They said that detention was not necessary, that it was illegal and arbitrary and that it contravened the European Convention on Human Rights which protected the right to liberty.

The defendants noted that detention for a period of 12 months (18 if they do not apply for refugee status) was allowed by the Immigration Act, and that its legality that has already been unsuccessfully challenged in previous cases.

The Court also heard that the migrants were claiming that their fundamental rights had been violated but that they had not been debased or humiliated in any way while in detention.

The Court said the Convention allowed detention “pending the decision on admission, deportation or extradition”, it heard, albeit not indefinitely or for an unreasonable time.

The European Court of Justice established in 1992 that 2 years was “unreasonable” but the Constitutional Court said the national limits were not unreasonable as one had to keep a balance between the individual’s liberty and the need to protect the socio-cultural fabric of the country.

It noted that refugee applications often took so long because the migrants arrived here without any identification and often did not cooperate with the authorities, but felt the government was keeping the right balance between controlling the flood of migrants and offering a deterrent to others who might be thinking of coming here, and their right to liberty.

With regards to their claims of inhuman and debasing treatment, the Court noted that these had not been proved.

“While the situation in the detention centre is not ideal, the irregular migrants in Block B are not being subjected to distress or hardship of an intensity exceeding the unavoidable level of suffering inherent in detention,” it said.

It noted that some of the problems associated with detention stemmed from the fact that the migrants formed tribal groups, with regular acts of vandalism causing damage to their own environment.


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