Author
The Reception Regulations require that within 15 days from lodging the asylum application, the Principal Immigration Officer ensures that all applicants are informed of reception benefits and obligations, and of groups and individuals providing legal and other forms of assistance.[1]
UNHCR Malta visits applicants at the IRC in both the closed and open sections in order to provide information, whilst JRS Malta provides such information to asylum-seekers in the open section of the IRC. AWAS also provides information about the reception conditions, such as rules of the centre, per diem, etc. Information is also contained in the agreement signed between applicants and AWAS on the day of their entry into the reception system.
According to AWAS, information is provided regarding asylum procedures (based on material prepared with EUAA’s support) but also education, employment, health, and housing.
Information is given to residents entering the centres about their rights and rules of the centres. AWAS also established an information point at the end of 2020, either by appointment or drop in. The Migrant’s Advice Unit (MAU) has an office in each centre and AWAS staff is present on site on a daily basis. As highlighted by the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality “Additionally, the MAU established a private Facebook group in 2022, which currently comprises of 51 members. The MAU actively manages the group, uploading new content three times a week on various topics. This Facebook group serves as an additional means for the Migrant Advice Unit to communicate with beneficiaries, fostering a dynamic and interactive channel for information dissemination.” [2]
The MAU is staffed with welfare officers who provide information on employment, housing, education and health. The Unit reportedly gives group sessions on services and activities to assist with integration into the community. Each open centre has a member of the team operating as a focal point for referrals to other stakeholders.
NGOs welcomed this improvement and aditus foundation’s lawyers met with the team in June 2022 to exchange on the needs of residents and answer questions from the MAU members. An informal referral system was put in place, where the MAU can call or send an email to aditus’ lawyers to inquire about a more complex issue and refer the person appropriately.
NGOs commenting positively on the cooperation with MAU and this cooperation continued throughout 2023. JRS confirmed that the organisation held a number of meetings with the MAU, mainly discussing organisational updates and specific referrals.[3]
[1] Regulation 4 of the Reception Regulations, Subsidiary Legislation 420.06 of the Laws of Malta.
[2] Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality, Feedback on the 2022 AIDA Country Report on Malta, shared with ECRE in January 2024.
[3] Information provided by JRS Malta in June 2024.