Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/191652
8 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2013 << was in the government's interest to ensure a fair and transparent system, to dispel the possibility of allegations of abuse. Under Maltese citizenship laws, requirements for applicants are too broad and vague, and no standardised system, like language tests, exists. Ministers have to be convinced that applicants are of a "good character" or "suitable citizens"; they must have resided in Malta for a four-year period out of a total six years before being considered. And the slow pace of naturalisation for many applicants who have already formed real bonds of community with the Maltese means they could end up waiting for over 10 years to earn their citizenship. There is something excruciatingly base and unjust about the golden passport, when naturalisation in Malta gets granted "for exceptional, humanitarian purposes" like forming a family and having children in Malta. "The idea of citizenship – membership in a community – should not be devalued," De Bono told MaltaToday. "The perception that Maltese citizenship will be granted to the super-rich, in a context where natu- Naturalisation by numbers Between 1991 and 2008, only 23% of individuals who acquired citizenship in Malta did so through naturalisation. The rest were mostly Maltese migrants or their descendants liv ing in count r ies like Australia, who applied for dual citizenship. In 2011 alone, only 107 of the 1,143 persons acquiring citizenship in 2011 were naturalised, foreign-born residents of Malta. In 2007 dual citizenship was extended to first-, secondand subsequent generations of Maltese born outside Malta and living abroad, whose Maltese citizenship derived from descent rather than birth in Malta. As a result the number of new citizens shot up from 246 in 1991, to 644 in 2008. But only 50 of the new citizens in 2008 were naturalised. So what difference would a few more naturalised citizens have made, when citizenship by descent accounted for such a sharp increase in numbers? In her EUDO study, Daniela De Bono gives two reasons for this apparent contradiction, namely that the Maltese do not f ind immigrat ion desirable and that they are not keen to give voting rights to migrants. Under the IIP, the rich can buy the right to vote and stand in Maltese elections. ralisation is already very difficult and amendments go the other way." Finally, there is the EU question, discretionary, makes the law unfair and feeds into this unfairness on two De Bono says. "Is this part of a race levels," she says, pointing to the fact to the bottom, where member states that it is being awarded to those who compete on who can offer EU passcan pay for it and also to those who ports for the lowest price?" Bulgaria is offering passports at are healthy. just over €500,000. Austria demands "The first is financial, bea $10 million investment cause it fast-tracks natuUNJO in the country – and, ralisation for those who NU EW ROPE A despite its 50% incan afford it. The second come tax, a naturalised is health, because it can citizen could still live bar people 'suffering in Malta and pay 35% from contagious distax, and then get up to eases who are other85% of that tax refunded. wise in good health' Hong Kong and Singapore – so what will hapoffer 15% tax rates, but so pen in the case of PASS APOR does Malta for foreign chief applicants or their T executives earning over family members €75,000. Going to Australia who have HIV or under its high-net-worth tuberculosis? Will scheme requires $4.7 million. the Act discriminate against The cheap passports are for them?" Apart from all this, De Bono says, it sale in the Caribbean: $250,000 in is clear that Malta's Citizenship Act St Kitts and Nevis or Antigua and needs to be revised. "At the moment Barbuda, and €100,000 in Dominica. it is too protectionist and based on But if you want a passport that opens the old, and mythical, assumption up the borders to 27 other states that we live in a homogeneous soci- without immigration control – not ety – we need a citizenship law that to mention visa-free travel to 160 is less protectionist, fair and non- countries around the world – Malta discriminatory. These proposed is the place to be. MALT A Citizenship scheme should serve to create jobs JURGEN BALZAN THE Opposition is yet to take a stand Training Subsidy Scheme (TSS) ESF2.201 - Enhancing Employability through Training (EET) of up to €1000 for participating in training We can help you develop your skills! The scheme is open for the unemployed, self-employed, employed persons working in vulnerable sectors, employed in non-public undertakings with 10 employees or less, persons aged 40+ irrespective of their employment status, persons earning less than €10,000 gross wages per year, those employed with registered NGO's and those employed with Local Councils. TSS applications will remain open until funds available are exhausted. Training Subsidy Scheme Academic (TSSA) The ETC is pleased to announce that the TRAINING SUBSIDY SCHEME ACADEMIC (TSSA) has been extended. a grant payable to individuals who wish to follow a programme at MQF level 5, 6 or 7 in an all areas relating to: TSSA application deadline is the 31st December, 2013 or earlier if the funds available are exhausted. For more details visit our website: www.etc.gov.mt or give us a call on Tel: 22201609 Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life European Social Fund (ESF) Investing in your future on the proposed Individual Investor Programme (IIP) as it is still looking into the details of the draft legal notice published this week. However, the Nationalist Party is adamant that the programme should serve to attract persons who invest and create jobs in Malta, beyond the funds generated by the fees paid by applicants. Former finance minister Tonio Fenech said the Nationalist Party has a number of reservations on the proposed programme, mainly centering on the absence of a link between granting citizenship and direct investment in the country. "Unfortunately, the government's proposal makes it seem as though Maltese passports will be up for sale without requiring direct investment in the country, apart from the fees," Fenech said. The MP pointed out that the impression the government is giving is that anyone who shows a desire to purchase a Maltese passport will be accommodated, without any further requirement to invest and create jobs in Malta. Asked whether he believes that the €30 million target set by the government for the first year is realistic, Fenech said that although it seems that the government is confident about attracting around 40 individuals, "there has been no mention of how many jobs will be created". He insisted that the government should focus on attracting individuals who invest money and create jobs in Malta, beyond the fees that individuals need to pay in order to acquire a Maltese passport. While saying that the PN was not opposed to the setting up of a National Development Fund that will be financed by the IPP fees, the Opposition would rather have the country attract sustained investments which create jobs and wealth. Furthermore, Fenech expressed his concern at the clause, which states that the minister may exercise discretion in cases concerning "applicants who may be subject to politically motivated charges or convictions". "There are two fundamental questions. What will the real economic contribution be? Will individuals who acquire citizenship enhance the country's reputation?" Fenech pointed out that Malta already attracts foreign investors through its good reputation and sound legislative structures. However, sounding a cautionary note, Fenech said: "I would never accept an individual who is unfit to apply, not even if we receive €10 million. We have to decide what kind of image Malta should have. Should we allow ourselves to create a reputation as a country which is desperate and ready to sell passports at all costs?" Tonio Fenech He added that a strict and independent screening process should be in place to ensure that the programme is not counterproductive. Fenech warned against accepting everyone, including individuals from shady countries, which he said could scare off genuine investors if Malta gets a reputation for being a haven for unwanted individuals. "We have a good reputation and we shouldn't spoil it," he said, adding that it would be a mistake if Malta provides citizenship to questionable characters, who do not necessarily have to be criminals or convicted persons to tarnish Malta's reputation. "I disagree with the clause which gives the minister discretion to accept individuals claiming to be victims of political persecution. We cannot have an open door policy. Applicants do not have a right to Maltese citizenship. It's up to the government, and we should not project ourselves as a country that's desperate for money." He added that Henley & Partners, selected as the concessionaire in the scheme, had floated the idea of a citizenship scheme when the company was offering its consultancy services to the previous administration on the permanent residency scheme. "We did take the idea into consideration at a preliminary stage when I was in office. However, we had made it clear that any such scheme must guarantee investment, jobs and enhance the country's reputation." Asked whether he agreed that names of applicants should be kept secret, Fenech said that the programme should be transparent and that any doubts about the applicants should be detected at an early stage, before any applications are approved.