Labour leader Robert Abela has said that third country nationals, who were tricked into non-existent jobs and are currently in Malta, should return to their home countries.
Abela was interviewed by Newsbook Malta editor Matthew Xuereb on Thursday evening during a Labour Party event held at Upper Barrakka Gardens. The Labour leader was asked about a number of topics including Scicluna’s fate following the prima facie decree in the fraudulent hospitals’ deal, power cuts, poverty and the reform in media laws.
Asked what the government is doing to ensure that platform workers get a decent wage, Abela said the government enacted laws regulating platform workers over the past months.
Abela then also said that there were hundreds of third country nationals applying to work as cab drivers and food app couriers had their work permit applications refused.
Earlier on Thursday, Times of Malta reported that TCNs had their permits refused by Identità in recent days as part of a crackdown on employers deemed abusive. The newspaper also reported that while renewals were being accepted, those who were applying from abroad or changing their employers were getting rejection letters.
“Our country has enough cab drivers and food couriers, and does not need more,” Abela insisted as he replied to queries he received on Thursday from employers claiming to have invested in the sector.
“The country has reached its maximum capacity and does not need such workers. Available workers should be used,” Abela underlined, adding that a strategic decision had been taken by JobsPlus and Identità on the matter.
“The country does not need them,” Abela said.
“For workers already present here, working regularly, and is needed by our job market, then he should be afforded the same dignity as fellow workers irrespective of their nationality,” Abela added.
He referred to a case where a man pleaded guilty to tricking Indians into non-existent jobs that was jailed for two years, and said that this was “just”.
“To those employing and abusing them [foreign workers] expect harsh punishments,” he said, acknowledging that the employers would bring these workers to Malta on fictious jobs or offering them fictitious accommodation.
“Time up,” Abela said.
When asked what will happen to the workers, who most likely paid thousands to come to Malta, Abela said: “if there is no work for them, they will have to leave the country. That’s the solution.”
Xuereb noted that this was double victimisation of the workers, Abela rebutted saying “but then you’ve got a situation that those workers who are not needed in the labour market cannot remain in Malta.”
Abela said the same argument was used when changing policy on irregular migration. He claimed that Malta was “besieged” with asylum seekers arriving at our shores during the coronavirus pandemic and the government took a “strong” stand on it.
“Only people invited to our country can enter, not those who decide that they want to be here. Those who decide to come here and are not invited have to leave,” Abela insisted.
“I apologise if my position is too rigid but I believe that is the correct position in the national interest.”
