Malta welcomes foreign workers to fill labour shortage, but repels refugees

Undocumented migrants look through barred windows at the Safi detention centre outside Valletta, Malta [File: Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters]

Names marked with an asterisk* have been changed to protect identities. 

Valleta, Malta – Amit* cruised through the lanes of Marsaxlokk, a colourful Maltese fishing hamlet, on his way to pick up two passengers in his taxi.