‘Do We Really Need More Cab Drivers?’: Minister Questions As Malta Might Seek To Reduce Non-EU Nationals
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Malta’s government could be gearing up to introduce measures limiting the number of non-EU nationals residing in the country, in a new report by Times of Malta , quoting “top government ministers”.
In a decade marked by significant demographic changes, this move is a response to the surge in population, which is expected to reach 800,000 in 2040 at this rate
Several ministers have expressed their concern about the population growth stating that many non-EU workers are making valuable contributions to the economy but there is an effort to decrease the rate.
These demographic changes took off soon after the Labour Party took governance in Malta. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana indicated that for Malta to sustain its economic growth rate of 4.2%, the population would need to reach 800,000 by 2040… that is, unless there’s a pivot to a new economic model.
This sudden influx, notably from third (non-EU) countries, has not come without consequences. Issues like worker exploitation, strain on infrastructure, including housing and traffic, have emerged.
However, it’s not all about numbers. The core focus of the government, according to the Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, is to eradicate abuse and fortify enforcement against lawbreakers. This includes landlords exploiting the system and employers taking undue advantage.
Although many cabinet members seem to support this shift in policy, it’s not yet an official cabinet directive. When probed about the commencement of this policy shift, a minister’s response alluded to Caruana’s population forecast, implying that this spurred the government into action.
Another minister added context, recalling that in 2013, the strategy was to grow the economy, which meant welcoming as many non-EU nationals as possible. The current goal, however, is to invest in industries with lesser worker requirements. “The prime minister is tacitly saying that himself when he talks of focusing on the quality of life and investing in value-added industries,” a minister reflected.
Importantly, this doesn’t mean expelling residents. It focuses on not replacing third-country nationals who leave the country. An implicit objective is to prioritize skilled immigrants over low-skilled workers.
There’s also a tangible change in bureaucratic processes. Jobsplus, which conducts labour market tests before non-EU nationals are given work permits, has revised its criteria. “Before, Jobsplus would only look at whether all the paperwork was in order, but that has now changed,” said a senior government official. He further questioned, “Do we really need more cab drivers?”
What is your take on this topic?