Malta’s Office of the Refugee Commissioner remains worryingly understaffed despite the number of applications increasing year on year.

Speaking following a parliamentary question from PN MP Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia revealed that there are currently just 30 members of staff at the crucial office.

The office receives over 2,000 asylum applications, the second-highest rate in Europe. 

With just 30 staff, it’s no surprise that the number of pending applications is also growing, with around 2,020 asylum applications still pending by the end of 2018.

Each case is complex with the journeys asylum seekers take unique to each person, and the office still does incredible work, processing a total of 1,500 applications with an approval rate of just over 40%.

The total figures for 2019 are yet to be released. However, with boat arrivals increasing during the summer, it is safe to assume the workload of the ORC has grown significantly.

Farrugia did reveal that the number of staff is expected to grow soon. However, he gave no indication as to what the increases will take place. The office could be set for some changes, with a new Commissioner, Roberta Buhagiar, appointed at the start of October.

Tensions surrounding asylum seekers and irregular migration are growing in Malta following a riot at the Ħal Far open centre and a growing number of arrivals following growing diplomatic issues in the Mediterranean.

Recent surveys have even shown that migration is now the chief concern amongst the general public.

Malta seems to be looking to combat the growing number by brokering a secret deal with Libya, which some have even described as a migrant pushback policy.

The number of applications and sheer workload for the small number of staff is undoubtedly playing its part. Beyond issues at Ħal Far, the Ħal Safi detention centre has also seen several protests over the long-term detention asylum, which they claim infringes upon their rights.

In October, the court of magistrates ruled that Malta broke the law by detaining six asylum seekers for ten weeks at the Safi detention centre.

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