Editorial: The hypocrisy behind our racism

It is tough to admit it, but the reality is that the racist abuse directed at Indian climate activist Jaydip Lakhankiya is sadly a snapshot of Maltese society.

Lakhankiya, who set off from Valletta on a 10,000-kilometre walk to India to raise awareness about climate change while carrying out environmental clean-ups, should have been applauded for his determination and idealism. Instead, he was targeted by a barrage of divisive and insulting comments, from the template “go back to your country” to others mocking both him and the wider Indian community.

Some of the comments reflected ignorance of the situation, others are purely racist. And sadly, it is not a new phenomenon.

In the 1980s, the hostility was directed largely at Libyans. At the turn of the century, when asylum seekers began arriving on Malta’s shores by boat, black Africans became the focus of suspicion and resentment. A decade ago, as ISIS and the Syrian civil war forced millions from their homes, Syrians faced similar hostility. Today, much of the anger has shifted towards Asians – particularly Indians.

The pattern is painfully predictable: when the demographics of migration change, so too does the object of prejudice. Will it be the Iranians next as thousands flee an illegal war?

Migration is a complex reality, especially for a small island state. Malta has experienced a significant influx of foreign workers in recent years and many of them have a different skin colour.

Entire sectors of the economy now rely heavily on third-country nationals (TCNs), making their presence more noticeable in daily life. But blaming migrants for this situation is very unfair and dishonest.

As Manav Sanger, the TCN representative at the General Workers’ Union, pointed out, Malta’s economy would quickly grind to a halt without these workers. While many rely on TCNs for the servicing industry, from delivery to cab services, imagine waking up one morning to find hardly anyone servicing crucial industries like health and care for the elderly.

The reality is that Malta’s economic model has created a demand for (low-wage, sometimes exploited) foreign labour.

At the same time, the government continues to employ thousands in the public sector, regardless of whether many of those jobs are productive or necessary. This leaves many private employers struggling to find workers locally, leaving them with no choice but to recruit from abroad.

In other words, the demand for migrant labour is not the fault of migrants themselves.

But there is something more disturbing: the attacks are normally directed at those with a different skin colour – you rarely hear the same level of complaints against the many white migrants who work in sectors like gaming.

Encouragingly, this time round, many Maltese did speak out against the abuse directed at Lakhankiya. Too often, racism thrives because people remain silent, fearing recriminations.

The authorities also have a responsibility to stop fanning the flames. The practice of publicly parading irregular migrants for cameras whenever enforcement action is taken against them may appease certain political narratives but reinforces harmful stereotypes and feeds resentment.

The media, too, must reflect on its role – certain news organisations, especially the public broadcaster, which persists in emphasising the nationalities of wrong doers.

At the recent launch of Malta’s National Action Plan Against Racism 2025-2030, Parliamentary Secretary for Equality Rebecca Buttigieg said Malta must have “zero tolerance for racism” because it violates human dignity and fundamental rights.

We need to go beyond words and implement policy and be vocal in condemning racism. Because history shows that racism rarely disappears – it simply finds a new target.