An important conference which will deal with a serious problem affecting our island, that of the irregular immigrants will open on Monday. This is a conference that has been on the books for some time.

The issue has to be dealt with if we do not want to find ourselves inundated with irregular immigrants most of them leaving from Libya with hundreds if not thousands of mouths to feed and persons to keep.

Malta has been honouring its European and international obligations as far as immigrants are concerned. The main problem is that this is not what the immigrants want. Most of these unfortunates arrive on our shores having mistaken Malta’s coastline for that of Italy or Sicily. In Malta they are detained in camps. This is not the life that most of these irregulars had aspired to when they paid hundreds of dollars to someone to take them to Italy. Their hopes had been for a better life. Instead they find themselves practically incarcerated in Malta. The results are evident for all to see.

The recent riots did more harm to Malta’s image than to that of the irregular immigrants and Malta will continue to be associated with violent treatment of foreigners if we do not take the bull by the horns and face the problem in an effort to find lasting solutions.

Today Opinjonisti will tackle the problem. The main guest will be Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg. Mgr Philip Calleja, director of the Emigrants Commission, Bryan Magro from the Social Policy Ministry as well as a number of other guests most of whom will be addressing the National Conference on Monday shall also be participating. Opinjonisti is presented and produced by Joe Grima every Thursday on Net Television. The programme starts at 8.30pm.