The General Workers’ believes that Maltese society, including its political class, must take stock of their attitudes and their words, in their reactions to events occurring in our country, in which people who are not citizens of this country are involved. It is deplorable that a person tries to create a climate of racial hatred, against people who are trying to build a new life. The lack of attention and responsibility to what’s being written, said and how it’s expressed, is a threat to this country’s entire social fabric.
During these past few weeks, especially after what happened recently in the Ħal Far Open Centre, our country has experienced a damned wave of xenophobia and ultra-nationalism. There were shameful words which should have never been uttered. It’s true that the accidents that happened recently are condemnable, and that no should think that he or she is above the love. Violence is never the answer to our challenges that we face. In an era where our social and traditional media have the power to influence public opinion however, it’s their responsibility that this hatred against people born abroad is not allowed to grow. This hatred divides the population, and the numerous communities living in Malta, from each other. This “us versus them” attitude, goes against every principle and ideology that this GWU has believed in since its inception.
GWU Secretary General Josef Bugeja states that in its activism, the Union has never made any sort of distinction between the people it defends and supports: “We do not look at the colour of the person’s skin, their political and religious leagnings, and we do not seek to find out the person’s country of origin. In our daily life, we only care about the needs of said person, wherever they may originate from. The GWU practices and believes in social solidarity, and the creation of true integration, where are person feels the same esteem as any other citizen. We certainly cannot refuse to helpa person because of their colour of their skin, or the religion that they practice. In fact, this long struggle against discrimination in all of its forms, is what inspired our forefathers to form the GWU.” And so, while the GWU reiterates its appeal for the respective authorities to take action against all those who break the law, it will continue to work in favour of a culture of integration, built on reciprocal respect between the numerous communities, as well as total respect to the law of the land. Integration does not mean assimilation, but rather a way of living in a quiet and peaceful environment.
