WATCH | Prime minister defends punitive measures on TCNs

Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended budget measures punishing third-country nationals.

Taking journalists’ questions during a press conference following the budget speech, Abela was asked whether he could still describe himself and his government as socialists following heavily taxing measures on foreign workers who are among the lowest paid in Malta.

Abela pointed out what he described as “a mistaken premise” that TCNs have low salaries, and insisted that some of the foreign workers who come from outside the EU are skilled and highly paid. 

Regarding the fact that TCNs who have been in Malta for less than five years will no longer benefit from free public transport, Abela said Malta has one of the cheapest bus fares.

“Of course it’s a budget with a social spirit,” the prime minister insisted, taking a jab at MaltaToday over its top concern surveys in which population growth is among the public’s top concerns. 

“Now because we made a decision that is in line with what the public wants, you say we’re not socialists,” Abela continued.

Responding to questions about the income generated by the rise in tourist contributions, Abela said the measure was more of a dictionary one rather than one focused on revenue.

He noted that the eco-tax was already hiked in previous budgets, and yet, tourist numbers didn’t drop, adding that other Mediterranean destinations operate similar levels of eco-tax.