Migrants workers held a protest in Valletta on Saturday to raise awareness about the “abuse, exploitation and violence” they say they are victims of.

The Government has committed itself to building a ‘cosmopolitan Malta’. Workers from around the world have been invited to come to Malta – but many are not truly welcomed, the organisers of the protest said in a statement. “Every single day migrants, black, and brown people contribute to our growth and wellbeing and in return they face abuse, exploitation and violence,” the statement said.

Making up 26.5% of the total Maltese labour force, migrant workers, including refugees and asylum-seekers, contribute hundreds of millions in euros towards income tax and national insurance contributions every year.

Our older people, our sick, our tourists, indeed, each and every one of us relies on the hard work and contributions of migrants, who have made Malta their home. They are a vital, vibrant and important part of ‘our’ community.

“Every week we learn of yet another incident of violence, often at the hands of those entrusted with a responsibility and duty to protect. Thanks to two decades of racialised discourse, abusive policies, and human rights violations, racism has become institutionalised, bullying and violence have become normalised, and a sense of impunity festers and prevails,” the statement added.

As a result, black and brown people in Malta do not feel safe. More than a year ago the Government acknowledged the extent of Malta’s problem in regards to institutional racism. In launching the Anti-racism Strategy it committed – on paper at least – to doing better. But it has clearly and repeatedly failed to do so, the protestors said.

“What we continue to see is half-baked political statements, insulting platitudes, ongoing dehumanisation of black and brown people in discourse, policy, and practice, and an apparent total disregard for their wellbeing. All persons, irrespectively of skin colour or nationality, form part of our community.

“They are our colleagues, they are our neighbours, they are our family members, they are our friends. The Government is responsible to respect and protect all members of Maltese society, regardless of background or origin. Every single person should feel safe in their community. They should feel protected in their home. There’s no ‘us’ without ‘them’. We are the people, and we deserve better,” they said.