Malta launches first migrant integration policy

VALLETTA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Maltese government launched the country's first ever migrant integration policy on Friday, which will allow long-term residents to apply for a permanent residence permit upon completion of an integration program.

Addressing a press conference launching the new policy, Malta's Equality Minister Helena Dalli stressed that with the number of foreign workers in the country constantly increasing, it was necessary for migrants to understand the country's laws, norms and culture.

She said that to date, despite there having been many migrants that have integrated well into society, the method through which this was done was "haphazard".

The policy envisages the setting up of a voluntary integration program that will offer applicants the opportunity to learn English and Maltese, as well as basic cultural and societal orientation classes and assessment of their work experience and qualifications.

Malta's Human Rights and Integration Unit director Silvan Aguis said that the action plan would be open to all migrants, stressing that classes would be "mainstream" and not specifically tailored to any particular demographic group.

"We will also be setting up an Integration Unit headed by Alex Tortell. The unit will take requests by the migrants. This will be a voluntary initiative, so no migrant will be forced to sign up," emphasized the director. Enditem