Hope in troubled waters : a study which aims to analyse the obstacles and challenges that unaccompanied minor asylum seekers encounter when trying to enter the Maltese labour market

Abstract

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) defines 'unaccompanied children/minors' as those children under the age of 18 years who have been separated from both parents and are not being cared for by an adult who, by law or custom is responsible to do so. It is due to their vulnerability that unaccompanied children are entitled to international protection under international human rights law and in Malta this protection is granted through Maltese legislation once the local authorities have verified that the claimants are actually under the age of 18 years. The research study adopted a qualitative approach to analyse the obstacles and challenges that unaccompanied minors encounter when trying to enter the Maltese labour market. The target population was unaccompanied minors living in a residential setting which specifically caters for their needs; the service providers of this residential setting, as well as an Employment Advisor from the public employment services. The overall findings revealed that even though unaccompanied minors are granted the same rights as Maltese minors in terms of health, education and employment, few are those who make use of education and employment services. Some participants stated that language is one of the obstacles encountered when trying to find employment and the lack of skills and working experience makes it even more difficult for them to find a fixed job. Strengthening the employment legislation would help to decrease the exploitation and discrimination that such individuals face when trying to enter the Maltese labour market.