Leader of the Nationalist Party Adrian Delia today expressed his concern for the Maltese culture and identity due to the influx of foreign workers whilst also pledging to secure a long term plan for the future of the country.
Delia declared this today, in celebration of worker's day, during a business breakfast organised by the Nationalist party with the theme "The Maltese Worker - A Long Term Plan".The conference focused on the Maltese economy which is seeing more foreign workers coming to Malta.
Following discussions by a number of prominent speakers, Adrian Delia stressed that our Maltese identity is what makes us Maltese "we are a Mediterranean society, we are spontaneous people, we have a heritage, we have a culture, we have an identity" and as a result we need to plan long term on a future based on what has made us Maltese over the years.
The long term plan needs not only be one of an economical or financial basis but also takes into consideration how much we are willing to change as a nation, said Delia whilst pointing out the change in demographics related to the number of children born to foreign women.
Putting a number of questions to the audience Delia asked that whilst the economy was growing because of the input of foreign workers is the Maltese worker taking home more or less in the end? "At the centre of the work of the Nationalist Party is the worker, the person, especially those with lower wages which need to work double to take home enough to live. Are we earning more, or are we becoming slaves?" continued Adrian Delia.
He asked if working longer hours and working more has come to the detriment of being a social person, if our race for consumption is effecting our quality of life, if we are really happy.
Delia expressed concern regarding issues such as anti-poverty groups, family structure, religion, language and Matese identity. He said this is the price we will pay if we do not plan long term and quickly address the need we have today. He also mentioned his concern in the disproportionate rise in rents with the increase in wages. It is true the economy is growing but the growth is not being felt by our families who are suffering, stressed Delia.
Delia closed off by voicing his main preoccupation saying "Let us be careful and let us think and plan long term so that we do not end up attracting foreign workers but as a consequence losing our children as they choose to leave because it becomes a Malta they no longer recognise".
Deterioration of the Maltese Language - Prof. Baldacchino
Also speaking at the conference, Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino, discussed the effect on the economy and noted that the scope of the discussion is to understand the changes effecting the country. He mentioned the increase in traffic, the increase in birth rates, increasing in smoking and increase in rental prices. Baldacchino also noted problems that could result in the deterioration of Maltese language due to the increase of foreigners living in Malta. He also discussed that perhaps increasing foreign workers is not the solution for the lack of labour supply.
Wages not increasing proportionately to economy - Gejtu Vella
On the other hand Gejtu Vella highlighted the work and life balance which is being compromised due to more people working full time and part time. It appears that wages are not increasing in relation to the economy and as a result more people need to work more hours. He asked for political parties to take responsibility to show solidarity and distribution of wealth.
Integration of foreign workers - Joe Farrugia
Another speaker Joseph Farrugia, focused on the integration of the foreign workers in our country. He also highlighted a number of issues related to the influx of foreign workers including cultural issues, social mobility, education, criminality, birth rates, medical care and even effects on the environment. Strategies and policies need to be in place to prepare for these sociological changes.
Skill shortages and skill gap - Dr Thake
Dr Anne Marie Thake spoke about the skills shortages and skill gap highlighting employability, labour mobility, and the skills required in the changing labour market.
Increase in population causing infrastructure and transport problems - Dr. Von Brockdorff
Dr. Philip Von Brockdorff added that the increase in population was having a number of negative effects on the country, creating problems with traffic, infrastructure and transport. He also expressed his concern on the effects the digital era could have on the economy and the workers stating that so far no debate on the subject had been made.
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