GWU congress: PM says ‘integration way forward’; Delia warns of effects on Maltese workforce
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia made their opinions on migration clear in their addresses to the General Workers’ Union Annual Congress yesterday, with the former insisting that “integration was the way forward” while the latter flagging issues with the influx of foreign workers, which he said were having detrimental effects on the Maltese workforce.
Muscat began by saying that the country went from people asking how there wasn’t work to business complaining that there are not enough workers.
“I would rather have problems of wealth than problems of debt,” he quipped.
Using this as a springboard, he presented his idea that “integration was the way forward,” arguing that the country could only sustain the same rate of economic growth and become a cosmopolitan center by truly respecting the value of integration.
“Abuse of foreign workers reduces the rights of Maltese workers. The path forward is not a wall, it is a road where we work to manage problems together,” he said.
“We have arguments about problems, but what is the solution? Putting the handbrake on economic growth?” Muscat added, telling the GWU audience that in the sphere of solidarity between workers, it “makes no sense to differentiate” on the basis of skin or nationality.
Muscat stressed that he understood there were people in certain localities who worried about their safety, but he insisted that this was not an issue with integration, but rather an issue with security.
“Everyone, whether foreign or Maltese, must respect the rules,” he said.
He went on to say that there was a fundamental question surrounding the value of work, explaining that it was essential for people to begin to recognise the value of human dignity in contributing to society and building something together community.
Delia, whose lukewarm reception was in stark contrast to the loud applause Muscat received from the GWU congress, argued that the influx of foreign workers was having an effect on their Maltese counterparts.
While explaining that he believed that the iGaming, financial services, and blockchain were important, given the number of people benefiting greatly from those sectors, there were also a significant number of people whose wages had remained stagnant over the last few years.
“The solution is not simple, but we need in-depth statistics for each sector,” he said.
Delia also stressed the importance of long-term planning to manage the economic situation and create an economy “which services the people and not the other way round.” with the target the individuals who did not pursue further education.
The White Paper on housing would also be presented in the coming days. Describing the bill, he said it was crucial to protect consumers within the property market who require a sense of certainty, but stressed that heavy-handed regulation would only create disastrous consequences.
He said that the government would continue to be an innovator in the technology sector beyond the steps taken with regards to blockchain, revealing the government was also working on regulations concerning artificial intelligence.