Migrants who have been living and working in Malta for several years marched from Ħamrun to Valletta on Sunday afternoon calling for policy changes that would grant them and their children born in Malta residency, social rights and stability.

They said that despite having made Malta their home and paid taxes for many years, they still lived in constant fear of having their documents withdrawn, leaving them vulnerable to deportation, exploitation and uncertainty about their future.

The protest, in which several Maltese also took part, came days after Kusi Dismark - a man who has lived, studied and worked in Malta for 13 years, was forced to leave Malta or be deported. His was not the only such case.

Dozens braved the wind and marched holding placards calling for stability and an end to uncertainty on Sunday.

Most people who are denied asylum are allowed to work in Malta and are obliged to pay tax and social contributions but have no access to free education.

While working, they have access to healthcare but no social protection. This means that if they are injured, taken ill or can no longer be gainfully employed, they will not receive any social, medical or unemployment benefits.

They are also not entitled to a pension once they reach retirement age.

People who are denied asylum are not allowed to marry, even if they enter into loving relationships and form a family of their own.

Children born in Malta to parents who have been denied asylum inherit their parents’ lack of documentation, have no social protection and are technically stateless.

“We’ve been in Malta for more than two decades, but unfortunately we are still referred to as migrants and aliens,” activist lliot Idami, who has been in Malta for 17 years and has a wife and five children, all born in Malta, said.

'Malta tagħna wkoll'

“Although we are Africans, we have been here for so long that we have become Maltese. We think like the Maltese and do things like the Maltese.”

“Malta taghna wkoll,” he added.

MCAST lecturer Isabelle Zammit said she joined the protest as it was not fair for these people to live in such uncertainty.

“We can’t even imagine what it’s like to lose everything you worked hard for in the blink of an eye,” she said. 

“There are children who live in Maltese villages, go to school there, play an instrument with the local band club and help with the village feast, or have joined the local sports nursery, yet they are still not considered Maltese.”

They were not asking for special treatment, but for fair treatment, she said.

The protest in Floriana.

KSU official Matthias Azzopardi said he only wished his migrant friends had the same opportunities as him and that the authorities treated them with more dignity.

“Don’t believe that all Maltese people hate migrants. Of course, we must fight a lot of racism, but this is not the Malta I know,” he said. 

“The Malta I know is compassionate and helpful towards everyone. Let’s not allow anyone to divide us. We must show the authorities that there is no ‘us and them’ and we want to be treated equally.”

Placards deliver various messages during the march.

Among those joining the march on Sunday were Labour MEP and human rights activist Cyrus Engerer and Yana Mintoff, the former prime minister's daughter. 

The activity ended in front of the parliament building where the country's leaders were urged to help the migrants, who considered themselves Maltese.

The demonstration was endorsed by 36 civil and human rights NGOs, including Aditus, ADPD, Allied Rainbow Communities, Drachma, Doctors for Choice, PN’s Forum Opportunitajiet Indaqs, the Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, the Church’s Justice and Peace Commission, KSU, Moviment Graffitti, MGRM, SOS Malta, the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, the Women’s Rights Foundation and Repubblika. 

The protest reaches Valletta.

MEP Cyrus Engerer and Dom Mintoff's daughter Yana at the protest march. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.