‘Discrimination affecting large numbers of ethnic minorities and immigrants in the EU’ – NCPE

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality has highlighted the discrimination sub-Saharan migrants face in Malta.

“Thirty-three per cent of immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa in Malta were discriminated against due to their skin colour, while 20% were discriminated due to their ethnic origin in four areas of daily life, namely when looking for work, when at work, in access to housing, and when in contact with school authorities as a parent, in the five years prior to an EU-wide survey.” The survey was carried out by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights in 2015 and 2016. This survey was based on a sample of over 25,500 randomly selected respondents with different ethnic minority and immigrant backgrounds.

The survey also showed that across Europe, the findings show that four out of 10 respondents felt discriminated against in one or more areas of daily life because of their ethnic or immigrant background during the same period of time, the statement read.

“In Malta, in the sphere of employment, 20% of respondents experienced discrimination based on their ethnic or immigrant background when looking for work in the 12 months before the survey, while 15% faced such discrimination at work. “

“The findings show that very few victims of discrimination reported the act to anyone or made a complaint about the most recent incident of discrimination. Overall, one in eight respondents across Europe reported or made a complaint, compared to 11% of the respondents with Sub-Saharan African backgrounds living in Malta. “

“The survey examined respondents’ level of awareness of organisations that offer support and advice in case of discrimination. Twenty-seven per cent of all respondents across Europe, and 12% of the respondents with Sub-Saharan African backgrounds in Malta are aware of such organisations.”

In the context of this survey’s results, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) reiterates that it is illegal to discriminate against persons on the grounds of race/ethnic origin or to treat them less favourably. “Persons who feel discriminated against on the grounds of their race/ethnic origin in employment and in the provision of goods and services can bring this to the attention of NCPE which has the responsibility of investigating such complaints.”

“Moreover, in order to address this concern, NCPE provides training on diversity, equality and non-discrimination to departments/entities in the public sector and to any organisation in the private sector on request. During these sessions, information is given on the rights and responsibilities related to the subject matter in order to empower participants to ward off discrimination and endorse diversity. “