The legal framework regulating the reception period for irregular migrants : a Maltese perspective

Abstract

This work has analysed the development of the Maltese legal framework for the reception of irregular migrants and their various rights up until the establishment of their status, against the various scenarios that have influenced it. These scenarios include migration flows and their causes, together with the changes in International and European Law, mainly the Reception Conditions Directive, in its consequent revised versions. Furthermore, NGOs and Government Officials in the sector were interviewed and a detailed analysis of their various comments was also carried out. Following an introduction which briefly summarises the phenomenon of mass migration towards the EU, the subsequent chapters analyse the developments of the Reception Conditions Directive and its transposition into Maltese law, seeing its parallel development and influence from and upon implementation issues. An in-depth analysis was carried out on five major issues concerning asylum seekers, these included Vulnerability, Health Care (physical and mental), Material Reception Conditions (accommodation and financial allowance), Employment and Information. The findings of the above mentioned issues show that the various stages from the arrival of the asylum seekers up to the determination of their status are in need of further streamlining and revision of both the National and European legislation together with an update of the National policy on migration. The final conclusions give a number of recommendations for a better reception and more efficient integration of migrants into Maltese society, for the benefit of all concerned.