Malta’s tight-knit social networks ‘obstacle’ for integration of migrants

Tight-knit social networks in Malta are hindering migrants from fully integrating into society, a NGO working with marginalised people has been told.

“People in Malta often grow up with the same people and maintain the same circle of friends until they die,” Lorna Muscat, a British project manager at human rights group SOS Malta said. “In London, nobody knows anybody so you are forced to make friends with strangers, but in Malta everybody has their family and social networks in place from a young age. It’s very tough for foreigners to tap into those circles, and I only managed because I married a Maltese man.

“The workplace is where foreigners tend to feel most equal to Maltese people, as it is the only time where they can feel that they are part of the community.”

She added that such networks make it hard for migrants to find work in certain professions – such as law and engineering.

Muscat was speaking at a discussion session organised by the Foundation for the Promotion of Social Inclusion – as part of an EU-funded project that will culminate with the NGO presenting government a set of recommendations.

The project is zooming in on Roma gypsies in other EU countries, but its Malta branch is focusing on all immigrants due to the lack of Roma immigrants on the island.

Lorna Muscat said that foreign cultures should be included in Maltese events – such as Carnival and the V18 activities.

“Foreigners should feel proud to live in Malta, and the V18 should be for everybody living in Malta and not just the Maltese. The revitalization of Valletta is really exciting for Maltese youths, but it should also be accessible to foreigners.”

‘Malta is an absolutely racist society’

During the discussion, a Tunisian immigrant – who chose to remain anonymous – had damning words for Maltese society, which she described as “absolutely racist”.

“I never knew what racism was like until I came to Malta, but I feel entirely excluded from society here,” she said, sounding clearly frustrated. “As soon as I tell people that I’m from Tunisia, their expressions suddenly change and it feels awful.”

She expressed her fears that her daughter will grow up socially excluded, causing her to hate Maltese society.

“It was normal for people in Brussels and Paris to grow up in hatred and social exclusion,” she said, referring to two European cities that were recent targets of terror attacks. “Malta is my daughter’s country now and I fear that she will grow up full of hate for society and herself. Nobody speaks to us; we are all alone and absolutely excluded and ignored by society. Nobody sees us at all. My daughter loves singing, but everyone ignores her as soon as she leaves her singing class.”

“At least she’s beautiful, and I will try to attract her the attention of a handsome Maltese boy, but can you imagine how badly the situation could end up for a black boy growing up on the island?”

She said that the only way to seek social life in Malta was to attend Church or the mosque, neither option of which appeals to her, and urged the government to adopt a quota system for the employment of foreign nationals.

“A normal person and a person with special needs cannot run the same race. If you give me the same opportunities as a perfect Maltese 23-year-old girl, it still won’t be fair.”

However, she admitted that the problem is double-sided, and that Tunisians “are also racist”.

“When I heard somebody speaking Moroccan, I instantly felt drawn to her and felt safe with her. It is a fake sort of safety though. The solution must come from government, that must have the will to pull people of different cultures together.”