The owner of Marsaxlokk restaurant The Deck addressed criticism at a video of his staff, which featured several foreign workers.

“Everyone has a right to express their opinion but I want to clarify that I am Maltese, I was born and raised in Malta and I believe in the Maltese,” Jonathan De Domenico said.

“However, while my job listings for workers are open to Maltese and foreigners alike, I have to be honest with you because I respect them equally. If ten people express interest in a job opening, there is often not a single Maltese applicant.”