Electricity And Water Cuts For People Who Rent Horse Stables For Migrants To Live In, Minister Pledges
Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri has warned people who rent horse stables to migrants as residences that the authorities are ready to cut off their electricity and water services.
“Action will be taken against people who are living here irregularly but renting out horse stables to people and forcing them to live there is unacceptable and we will strongly enforce against it,” Camilleri said when interviewed by Andrew Azzopardi on 103 Malta’s Heart.
“Even if the authorities cannot immediately ascertain who owns the stables, they will take action against people who profit off people’s vulnerabilities, such as by cutting off electricity and water, as well as serious public health investigations.”
“This is exploitation. These people came to Malta irregularly, are living here in fear and are being exploited by their landlords, as well as by employers, who don’t give them vacation leave and sick leave and who pay them a lower hourly rate. As a PL politician, this can never be acceptable.”
In recent weeks, the police carried out a number of irregular migration raids across the country, including in Marsa, Ħamrun, Attard and St Paul’s Bay.
A recent police raid in Marsa
In a single raid in Marsa on Thursday night, 49 migrants were arrested and many of the properties they were found living in were sealed off, with water and electricity services shut off.
Camilleri said these raids will continue in the coming weeks and that irregular migrants will be arrested regardless of their nationality or race.
“Everyone knows there are more Africans in Marsa but you will probably find different people in other localities. I’m not interested in what colour their skin is but in having a sense of order and people feeling safe in their communities.”
Which areas of Malta do you think these raids should focus on?
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