WATCH | Moviment Graffitti’s community-first approach helped drive Manoel Island victory

Moviment Graffitti’s biggest successes have come from working hand in hand with communities and residents, activist and ornithologist Marie Claire Gatt said, arguing that the NGO’s grassroots approach was central to the campaign that led government to pledge Manoel Island back to the public.

“For the past 25 years, it was certain that it was going to be commercially developed,” Gatt said, speaking on TVM’s XTRA. “Now the public has obtained the promise that this island will be a public and open space.”

She cautioned, however, that campaigners would remain vigilant to ensure the commitment is honoured.

“We were not born yesterday. We know there is a need to stay vigilant and observe that these promises are carried through,” she said, adding that Malta is in a far better position today than it was a year ago.

Reflecting on what motivates Moviment Graffitti, Gatt said the organisation is driven by issues it feels strongly about but takes a strategic approach in deciding how to act. This includes assessing available legal avenues, identifying potential allies and understanding the challenges posed by those opposed.

“We see what we have in front of us, what our possibilities are, legal avenues, groups which are on our side or opposed,” she said.

According to Gatt, the NGO’s work is ultimately powered by communities. She said some of its greatest victories were achieved by supporting residents directly affected by local issues and giving them the organisational backing they might otherwise lack.

“Whatever Moviment Graffitti does is motivated through the force that is created through communities,” she said.

The discussion also turned to ongoing concerns surrounding Manoel Island, particularly the controversy over padel courts that were built without prior permits and are now the subject of sanctioning applications.

Gatt said campaigners were surprised by developments relating to the courts, arguing they run counter to the vision being promoted for the site.

“This shows a lack of agreement in government,” she said, noting that while public consultation is underway to shape a future public park for Manoel Island, there are still efforts undergoing to secure parts of the site for private use.

She said Moviment Graffitti had encouraged members of the public to submit objections and is prepared to appeal if the applications are approved, arguing that they do not align with planning policies governing the area.

An ornithologist by profession, Gatt also linked public opposition to such developments with a growing awareness of the importance of natural and open spaces. She said the reaction to projects that threaten these areas shows that many people recognise their value even without formal ecological training.

Gatt stressed the importance of informal environmental education and highlighted guided walks organised by the NGO with botanists, historians and ecologists.

Such initiatives, she said, help people better understand the ecological and cultural significance of threatened sites and why preserving Malta’s remaining open spaces remains a pressing concern.

GWU represents over 6,000 third-country nationals, Kevin Camilleri says

The General Workers Union currently represents more than 6,000 third-country nationals (TCNs), with Secretary General Kevin Camilleri insisting that foreign workers should enjoy the same rights and protections as Maltese employees.

General Worker's Union secretary general Kevin Camilleri on XTRA

Speaking on TVM's XTRA, Camilleri said the union's position is based on the belief that all workers deserve equal treatment regardless of nationality, race or background.

“We have over 6,000 members who are TCNs in our union, and we do this because we want them to have the same rights as we do,” he said.

Camilleri argued that ensuring a level playing field for foreign workers ultimately benefits Maltese employees by preventing competition based solely on lower wages.

“If we present a level playing field and put TCN workers on the same level as Maltese workers, the Maltese will advance ahead because we believe in the capabilities of the Maltese worker,” he said.

He added that many workers arriving from countries such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan are unfamiliar with the role of trade unions, often associating organisations like the GWU with government institutions rather than independent worker representation.

The discussion also touched on the future of work and the impact of artificial intelligence on industrial relations. Camilleri warned that technological changes could fundamentally alter the relationship between workers and employers.

“That is why it is important for workers to be represented by a union,” he said. “There will come a time when, if we are not careful, we will no longer be speaking to our boss. Nowadays you may be speaking to an AI platform that will not show any empathy and human aspects.”

Asked about the evolution of the GWU from its historic roots in sectors such as the dockyard and shipyard to representing workers across a broader range of industries, Camilleri said unions must adapt to changing realities.

“It is a process that must change, since the way we communicate has also changed,” he said.

He noted that workers today have access to stronger legal protections and institutions than previous generations, making it necessary for unions to evolve alongside changes in the labour market.

Camilleri also expressed support for discussions on introducing systems that would make union membership more accessible to workers upon entering employment, describing such proposals as part of the future.