Immigration - in brief (14)
01 August 2006
Italy: 2006 additional quota for migrant workers: As has regularly been the case since the introduction of the quota system for migrant workers in Italy in 1998, the original figure that was envisaged for 2006 was revealed to have been conspicuously inadequate for the requirements of Italian businesses. The decree adopted on 15 February 2006 allowed the entry of 170,000 workers, of whom 120,000 were to be for non-seasonal employment. By 31 May 2006, the number of requests submitted by businesses for foreign workers was "considerably higher" than this figure. "In order not to penalise the Italian productive system", on 25 October 2006 the government decided to use the opportunity allowed by relevant legislation to issue an additional quota of 350,000 non-seasonal third country employees, to whom permits are to be issued for requests regularly submitted by employers by 21 July 2006. Third-country workers who have Italian origins on the side of at least one of their parents will have preferential treatment, as will those from third countries that have cooperation agreements with Italy. The fact that the quotas are regularly lower than the true requirements of the Italian labour market is indicative of the misrepresentation of migrants as a threat and security issue that must be limited by any means, when they are vital for host countries' economies.
Decreto del presidente del consiglio dei ministri, 25 October 2006; http://www.interno.it/legislazione/pages/articolo.php?idarticolo=795
UK: Harmonsworth IRC inimical to proper treatment of refugees: The recent report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons into Harmondsworth was described by Anne Owers as "undoubtedly the poorest report we have issued on an IRC." Harmondsworth, the largest immigration removal centre, with a population of 500, was described as having "a culture and approach which was wholly at odds with its stated purpose, and inimical to the proper care and treatment of detainees." Over 60% of detainees said they felt unsafe. The main fear was bullying by staff: 44% of detainees (compared to 28% at other IRCs) said they had been victimised by staff. Detainees described custody officers as "aggressive" "intimidating", "rude" and "unhelpful". The centre management had an over-emphasis on physical security and control. Detainees were unable to have basic possessions such as tins, jars, leads and nail clippers. Movement was strictly controlled. Use of force was high, as was the use of temporary confinement in segregated conditions - sometimes for poor behaviour rather than for reasons of security or safety as specified in the Detention Centre Rules. The incentive scheme operated as a punishment system. Suicide and self harm work was weak, and the complaints system was distrusted and ineffective. When, on 28 November, KALYX (as UK Detention Services now brands itself) staff tried to stop detainees watching a news programme on the Inspection Report, detainees rioted and smashed and burned all four wings.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons Report of Unannounced Inspection of Hardmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, 17-21 July 2006
Belgium: Detention guards speak out about abuses: On 16 November 2006, four guards from Vottem detention centre told journalists from Ciné-Telé-Revue magazine about structural problems and questionable practices in this centre fermé, revealing that conditions are so deplorable that they sometimes "go home and cry". The guards did not reveal their names as this may cost them their job. In fact, when they take up service in the centre, they have to sign a confidentiality clause obliging them to treat events and practices in the centre secret. This regime of secrecy is a common policy in many EU countries, and in spite of laudable work carried out on this issue by NGOs, some politicians, public officials and journalists in reporting the lamenta