Open letter sent to all Maltese MPs

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you as an EU national who chose, when registering in Malta as a long-term resident, as is required by law after three months, and receiving an ID card stating residency, the opportunity to vote in Malta at the local council elections.

I understand that over 12,000 or so votes in a local election are mostly insignificant to the major parties, but they are votes waiting to be won.

The institutionalised racism in Malta has reached epidemic proportions, mainly associated with ARMS Ltd and could be attributed to Arriva too, as these are without doubt in the public eye and therefore highly visible to all those who live here and everyone who visits.

EU nationals throughout the 27 EU member states are entitled to freedom of movement and equality with local nationals, and nowhere in those 27 states are EU nationals forced to pay any more or any less for goods, services, education, transport or utilities – with the exception of Malta.

The European Commission states this is illegal. Malta, while holding its hands out and desperately trying to retain its status for funding, insist on charging most non-Maltese EU nationals – those who finance EU funds through previously paid taxes while in their own respective countries – exorbitant amounts for their utilities at 35-40 per cent more for electricity and 65 per cent more for water, not to mention the illegal deposits, to the extent that many have left the Island. 

Malta and its economy depend largely on tourism. A holiday in Malta can actually be more expensive than a holiday in Dubai, due mainly to the “here comes a tourist” overcharging mentality, but can we really blame the local trader when the corporations get away with it? Worse still is the “if you don’t like it, go back to your own country” mentality, which hardly abides by the concept of reciprocal treatment.

EUCAD (European Union Citizens Against Discrimination), a recently formed group of like-minded, non-political people, is currently in the process of initiating a class action against ARMS Ltd, (our first port of call,) and then intend to bring a law suit within a year to ensure that every EU national is compensated for in respect of the years 2004 to date, with every bill re-examined and every overpayment refunded – in full and with interest – whilst calling on the EU Commission to cease all funding to Malta until ALL Malta’s residents, (both Maltese and non-Maltese) including EU nationals who have taken long-term residency, are charged the same for utilities and all other services.

We understand that the European Commission decided on 27 September to send a letter of formal notice to Malta in respect of the incorrect application of the freedom of movement Directive.

To benefit from reduced water and electricity tariffs, EU citizens residing in Malta need to submit specific residency documents – other means of proving their residency are not accepted by. By contrast, Maltese citizens need only to submit a copy of their identity card (and no proof of residence).

This discriminatory treatment is not in line with EU law and creates an unacceptable obstacle to exercising the right to free movement and residence. We are thus taking action to ensure that EU citizens are able to fully enjoy their rights.

Patricia Graham

For and on behalf of EUCAD (European Union Citizens Against Discrimination)