‘We should not create a system of exaggerated development in Malta’ – Bernard Grech

Opposition Leader Bernard Grech has said that Malta’s political landscape regarding the height of buildings should be in accordance with the 2006 local plans, but “we should not create a system of exaggerated development.”

“Although rights should be protected, we have to keep in mind the sustainability of the country’s future,” Grech said.

Answering questions posed by journalists on Wednesday on the way forward the Nationalist Party will take on the matter, PN Leader Grech said that the height of buildings in Malta as allowed by the local plans should be permissible.

Questions were also asked to Grech about the migrant worker incident. On Tuesday, a migrant worker fell two storeys on a construction site and was allegedly abandoned on a pavement a distance away by his boss. Many were shocked with such an act, including PN Leader Grech. Grech was asked whether he believes there needs to be more political solidarity with foreigners and what can be done to tackle this issue.

“The value of a person is not based on their nationality or the colour of their skin. If we lose this value as a society, we will lose a vital value for our country,” Grech said.

He said that “it is important that we know the value of a person rather than their price. Prior to this incident, for weeks and months, I spoke about this issue and that is why I was so shocked to hear of such an incident.”

“Whatever the person did and whoever the person is, he or she certainly does not deserve to be thrown out in the street,” Grech said.

With regard to foreign workers in Malta, Grech expressed his belief that foreign workers are needed in Malta, especially when it comes to employing people within establishments similar to Foster Clarks.

Companies do not always manage to find skilled workers from Malta, thus foreign workers are crucial, leading companies to open their horizons in order to continue operating, Grech said.

“As a country we need a plan in every regard. The shortcomings of Malta nowadays are due to the lack of planning which has been present in recent years due to a government led by the Labour Party. We believe that we need more skilled local workers, but we also have to look beyond that when this is not enough,” Grech said.