The survey confirmed that there are many different views and opinions ‘out there’. From UNHCR’s perspective there were some very interesting findings. Some of these points are highlighted below, while the detailed results from a range of specific questions are presented in the following pages.
Just over 50% of the respondents indicate that they think there are too many migrants and refugees arriving in their locality. It is interesting to note that less than half of the people asked were in fact aware of any such individuals living in their own communities.
Around 20% said that their major concern relating to migration is Malta’s limited size. But according to the survey almost half those asked do not in fact consider that there are too many refugees and migrants arriving in their communities. Concerns about ‘too many migrants’ do not necessarily translate into worries about threats to local community life. In fact a majority of 54% do not consider migration to be a threat to their way of life in the local community. There are, however, significant regional differences on this point.
The survey also found that young respondents generally expressed less concern. Survey respondents who live in localities close to Hal Far did express a higher degree of concern about negative impact on the local way of life due to the presence of refugees and migrants. It is perhaps not surprising that in areas dominated by the larger temporary accommodation and detention centres more than 70% are concerned about the effect on local communities. By comparison the perception of threat drops very significantly among respondents living in the northern and central areas of Malta as well as in Gozo.
More than 43% of the respondents said they had never had any form of interaction with any refugees or migrants. On a more positive note, more than half of those surveyed reported to have spoken with a refugee or migrant at least once during the past year, one in four said the same for the last week before the survey. Most of the interaction with refugees and migrants was reported to take place in relation to work, in the street and in shops.
The words ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’ are frequently in use by various media. But do most people know what they actually mean? In fact, more than 51% of respondents were able to distinguish between the two terms. However, the majority suggested that ‘refugees’ and ‘migrants’ originate mainly from the same areas (Africa, Libya and Somalia). After a decade of boat arrivals from Libya, it is perhaps to be expected that the Maltese population thinks of asylum seekers when they encounter the word ‘migrant’, although there are several other groups of non-EU residents present in Malta.
A majority of 58% agreed with the statement that “people coming to Malta should change their ways to be more like other Maltese citizens.” The main elements that could define successful integration, and ultimately naturalization through citizenship, were identified by the majority as: “clean criminal record”, “duration of stay” and “work”. Almost half of the respondents said that migrants and refugees can contribute to Maltese society by “working legally” and “paying taxes”.
Take a look at the back page of this report to read some of the comments made on this question. According to those surveyed, people of sub-Saharan African background are considered as the least likely to settle successfully in Malta, with around 46% citing “different culture” as the main obstacle in this regard. Many respondents expressed the view that the Maltese are reserved about mixing with people of different cultures. In fact almost two thirds of respondents think that “only a few” or ‘hardly anyone’ in Malta accept such differences.meettheotherq
But more than one third of the Maltese agree that a mixture of different lifestyles and cultures, such as those brought about by refugees and migrants, makes Malta a more attractive place to live. Many of those interviewed also showed understanding as regards the hardship some refugees and migrants are faced with: approximately 80% of respondents believe that refugees and migrants are not treated fairly when looking for jobs. A large majority also acknowledge that they face discrimination in searching for accommodation.
There appears to be strong general awareness about obstacles and discrimination affecting refugees and migrants who try to settle in MaltaMore than 43% of the respondents said they had never had any form of interaction with any refugees or migrants. On a more positive note, more than half of those surveyed reported to have spoken with a refugee or migrant at least once during the past year, one in four said the same for the last week before the survey. Most of the interaction with refugees and migrants was reported to take place in relation to work, in the street and in shops. The words ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’ are frequently in use by various media.
But do most people know what they actually mean? In fact, more than 51% of respondents were able to distinguish between the two terms. However, the majority suggested that ‘refugees’ and ‘migrants’ originate mainly from the same areas (Africa, Libya and Somalia). After a decade of boat arrivals from Libya, it is perhaps to be expected that the Maltese population thinks of asylum seekers when they encounter the word ‘migrant’, although there are several other groups of non-EU residents present in Malta. A majority of 58% agreed with the statement that “people coming to Malta should change their ways to be more like other Maltese citizens.”
The main elements that could define successful integration, and ultimately naturalization through citizenship, were identified by the majority as: “clean criminal record”, “duration of stay” and “work”. Almost half of the respondents said that migrants and refugees can contribute to Maltese society by “working legally” and “paying taxes”. Take a look at the back page of this report to read some of the comments made on this question.According to those surveyed, people of sub-Saharan African background are considered as the least likely to settle successfully in Malta, with around 46% citing “different culture” as the main obstacle in this regard.
Many respondents expressed the view that the Maltese are reserved about mixing with people of different cultures. In fact almost two thirds of respondents think that “only a few” or ‘hardly anyone’ in Malta accept such differences. But more than one third of the Maltese agree that a mixture of different lifestyles and cultures, such as those brought about by refugees and migrants, makes Malta a more attractive place to live. Many of those interviewed also showed understanding as regards the hardship some refugees and migrants are faced with: approximately 80%of respondents believe that refugees and migrants are not treated fairly when looking for jobs.
A large majority also acknowledge that they face discrimination in searching for accommodation. There appears to be strong general awareness about obstacles and discrimination affecting refugees and migrants who try to settle in Malta
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