Guest Post: ‘Are We Proud Of What Malta Has Become?’ – The Ghettoisation Of The Island
“A vision without a plan is just a dream. A plan without a vision is just drudgery.”
Fifteen to 20 souls living in two-three bed apartments, with maybe two toilets, bathrooms where even taking a shower needs a schedule. Is it any wonder arguments break out?
These ghetto style properties are popping up all over the islands. An apartment that was being rented for €750 a month now has 12 beds piled on top of each other, bringing in a cool €2,400 a month.
Some streets and some areas are becoming so over-populated with accommodations like this that they become no go areas.
Residents of years afraid to walk in their own neighbourhoods, not because these people are dangerous, but simply because there are so many Third Country Nationals, locals judge and become afraid.
Who had the vision? Who do we have to thank for putting this vision into action without having a plan? Who decided to sell Malta to the highest bidder?
A jewel in the Mediterranean so covered in concrete and dust even the tourists are coughing over their Kinnie.
Who decided that TCNs were there for the picking and would be “grateful” for whatever crumbs were given to them?
And what happens when the tourists stop coming, because high rise buildings and concrete monstrosities block every part of the historic, laid back, Malta people came to visit and relax in?
When our beaches are so overcrowded that we have to search for a space that will let them breathe, when what we do have left is cordoned off by skyscrapers, just where are the green spaces we hear so much about?
What is to be done with all of the workers who have been enticed to our shores for a better standard of living, and a better bite of the apple?
They are the people who built this ‘vision’, and have been so dreadfully abused in the process as they struggle to afford a place to sleep.
Why was this vision not built by the Maltese workers?
My guess is that if this vision had to be built by locals we wouldn’t have even a third of what we are living with right now – because we are led to believe that the Maltese National is above that sort of work.
So if this vision was so important and so dependent on foreign workers, and couldn’t be done without them, then pray tell why we are treating them as slaves, as insignificant, as disposable?
Instead of blaming the foreign worker for all of this, why not stand with them and demand better wages, better living conditions, affordable housing, better treatment, rights in employment conditions, basic human rights.
Why just blame the easy target foreigner? Well, it’s easier to blame the foreigner – as opposed to where you placed your last family vote!
We do not have the police force to deal with this population, and we certainly do not have the diverse police force required to cater fairly to the needs of such an international country.
As a child, I grew up in the highlands of Scotland. My grandfather had three sheepdogs, and I was in awe of how Spot herded these sheep into neat little pens every night.
I often asked, “How does he do that, how do the sheep know to obey the dog, why do they try to run away, why not just come home to their pen? Is it magic?”
My grandfather replied, “They know who is boss, they know they will get fed, they will be warm. They try to run because they are afraid. They stay together in a group because they are afraid – but together, they can survive.”
Chain gangs being checked on and off private transport, daily and shipped to the different areas that need slaves for that day.
Tired, downtrodden faces, with their eyes low, climbing aboard for a 14 -16 hour day, with no more than a small bottle of water in their hands.
Being trained to hide when the whistle goes up that the police are on site on a public holiday, or worse the employer has no papers for these workers, or wait, “are in process” which is the joke of the century. The likelihood is they have never been applied for.
It’s all okay though, because when construction is complete, a whisper in the right ear will lead to an immigration raid – and then the employer doesn’t even have to pay for deportation flights!
They leave with the clothes on their backs and an EU wide ban and they can say goodbye to any outstanding wages, that is if they were ever paid more than pocket money over the duration of the contract.
This is my vision of Malta – and every day I see these ghetto-style properties growing.
TCN’s being herded into these little pens. Staying together in their own groups, where they feel safe, for fear of what may happen if they try to break free – and then being accused of refusing to ‘integrate’.
Are we proud of what Malta has become?
Is anyone bothered? Or will the bank balance continue to reign superior at all costs?
Patricia Graham represents the EU Nationals And Friends Advisory, a voluntary group of people who give their time freely and without charge to individuals facing issues while living and working in Malta.
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