Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/874823
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2017 9 where else they would close it down." The fact that there haven't been effective attempts at integration only makes people feel worse, he said. "Whether you've been here ten days or ten years it is the same for Maltese people. They don't know. We have not integrated yet," he continued, visibly exasperated. Management by crisis Ahmed Bugri, the CEO of the Marsa Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants, echoed Ghebar, describing the problem as "a concentration of a particular group of people in one place". "There is a problem, both for migrants and for the people of Marsa," he said. Asked whether he felt that ei- ther the closing of the open cen- tre or an increased police pres- ence would solve the problem, he was adamant that it would not. Bugri said that irrespective of the centre, Marsa was now a meeting place, adding that there were shops, barbers, African food, and other attractions which brought Africans to Marsa. As for an increased police pres- ence, he said that given the num- ber of people there, a presence made sense, but he warned that a heavy-handed approach would not solve anything. "The problem is not crime but social issues like alcohol and drug addiction. A person addicted to synthetic drugs supplied to them by a local is not a criminal," he said, adding that "all the machine guns and dogs" only served to re- inforce this idea. Like Ghebar he stressed that "if a person is here for ten years then you need to give him stability" if you expect him to live his life in a constructive and law-abiding manner. "They can't constantly feel like they are about to leave because they will never be able to settle down. Why shouldn't Malta, after 15 years, not have a proper inte- gration policy," he asked. While he understood that the people of Marsa were also the vic- tims of the situation, Bugri said he feared that the government's pledge to close the Marsa Open Centre had empowered locals, who would in turn continue to apply pressure on the government to follow through. He said however that the gov- ernment needed to understand that people living in Malta for prolonged periods of time are go- ing to want to socialise and that this needs to be factored in. "Until a proper solution is found, we shouldn't kid ourselves. They are not going anywhere." ypace@mediatoday.com.mt News Iden ty Malta Agency is seeking to strengthen it's Due Diligence Team through the recruitment of: (2) Senior Manager Due Diligence Jobsplus Permit Number: 443/2017 Objec ve of the role: The role of Senior Manager – Due Diligence lines directly into the Chief Officer – Due Diligence (CO-DD) and forms part of the IIP unit's Due Diligence team at Iden ty Malta. The role requires an individual who is able to collate and analyse informa on with a view to undertake a thorough risk assessment of applica ons for the Malta Individual Investor Programme. An eye for detail, a structured and well-organised approach to work and excellent communica on skills are crucial for a strong performance. The ideal candidate should have previous work experience in areas such as compliance or audit. Essen al a ributes: The ability to gather and understand requirements before undertaking a task and approach execu on in a structured manner; An evidence-based approach, cri cal review mind-set, complemented with an excellent eye for detail; The ability to ask the right ques ons, acquire relevant informa on, analyse and appraise informa on, and present well-wri en risk assessment reports; Outstanding communica on skills complemented by excellent telephone and email e que e; Excellent rela onship building skills and an approachable personality; MQF Level 6 qualifica on in a related field; Minimum of 3 years' experience in a similar role, in a related or similar industry; Interested persons are to send a covering le er together with a detailed Curriculum Vitae by not later than 22 nd September 2017, addressed to Human Resources Unit, Iden ty Malta Agency, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Old Hospital Street, Valle a, VLT 1645. Applicants may also send by email to recruitment@iden tymalta.com Iden ty Malta is a government Agency established through Legal No ce LN269 of 2013. www.iden tymalta.com Career Opportunity hey are not going anywhere' Abdul, an Eritrean hairdresser in Msida. This photograph, taken in 2015, shows a side of the successful integration of certain migrants that people never see up close. Photo: UNCHR/Dragana Rankovic Ahmed Bugri, who has previously managed the Marsa open centre, today supports migrants and asylum seekers integrating into the Maltese labour market. "There is a problem, both for migrants and for the people of Marsa." DENISE GRECH MALTESE mayors will not be attending a demonstration by Marsa residents billed as a "soli- darity march" over residents' concerns with African migrants in the area, because it has been hijacked by the far right. The president of the Local Councils Association, Mario Fava, said that Marsa, Ħamrun, Raħal Ġdid, Msida and Floriana mayors will not be attending the walk, being held today. The walk was called by resi- dents who claimed a heightened increase in illegalities committed by residents of the Marsa open centre for asylum seekers. But Fava told MaltaToday that "racist forces", such as far-right Moviment Patrijotti Maltin, had taken over the demonstration, after posting announcements which surfaced on Facebook that the party will be attending the walk. "Our heart is in the right place," Fava said. According to the event posted on social media, the walk was originally intentioned to pressure the government to in- crease security in the area. Recent police raids however, have rendered the walk redun- dant, Fava said. "After the recent commitment shown from the government, the mayors from the relevant areas have decided that the aim of the walk has al- ready been reached," he contin- ued. Talks are being held with the Commissioner of Police to en- sure that security forces contin- ue frequent patrols in the area. But the raids recently led by police in the area have been ac- cused of being racially-profiled, with police specifically targeting black residents in Marsa to de- mand identification papers. Earlier this week, the ministry for home affairs and national security could not specifically furnish MaltaToday with data of how many raids or police search- es were carried out by police in Marsa, requesting identification. The same data was requested for previous years, as well as whether similar requests were made in towns like Sliema and St Julian's, where thousands of European workers live and work. "Frequent inspections are car- ried out by various sections of the Malta Police Force at differ- ent localities all the year round. These inspections also include immigration checks on any for- eigners to confirm or otherwise whether they are living legally in Malta. These inspections are not only carried out in locali- ties indicated below, but also in many other locations. There are also instances when the police are accompanied by Jobsplus in- spectors," a spokesperson for the ministry said. Mayors: Far right has hijacked Marsa residents' demonstration Mario Fava