The Labour Party on Sunday said in a statement that the government had received some 300 submissions as part of the public consultation process on the Malta Labour Migration Policy.

Prime Minister and Labour Leader Robert Abela said that the Government is committed to pushing our country towards quality tourism, the PL said.

The party issued a statement detailing how during a visit to The Westin Dragonara Resort in St Julian's, Abela saw the €50 million investment recently made in this major hotel in Malta.

Accompanied by the management of The Westin Dragonara Resort, the Prime Minister was explained the work done to further improve the quality of the product and service it offers to its customers. The Resort General Manager Michael Camilleri Kamsky explained to the Prime Minister the ongoing investment and sustainable initiatives being undertaken, with a reverse osmosis system that produces all the water supply needed for the hotel, and energy-efficient equipment to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Abela noted that this investment is in line with the Government's vision to work in synergy with the private sector, which he said would make a major contribution to the country in economic drive towards more quality, the PL said.

During the visit, the Prime Minister met the workers, who with dedication to their clients, are delivering the best service in the hospitality sector. He said that the Government chose to reward the workers with the biggest tax cut in history, and recalled how with this measure, around €140 million will remain in the pockets of families because every worker will not pay tax on the first €1,000 earned in wages. He said that as well as benefiting families, this measure will have positive impact on businesses, because workers will be more productive.

The Prime Minister said that a Labour Government is capable of creating wealth and addressing challenges, including through the Malta Labour Migration Policy. He recalled that before 2013, unemployment was a major problem, with more than 7,000 people looking for work. He explained how the Labour Government has created opportunities in the labour market, with a thriving economy, so much so that the country has a lot of work.

He continued that the solution is not to reverse the clock by reducing work opportunities or shrinking the economy, because otherwise there will be consequences on the income and quality of life of the Maltese and Gozitans. He said that the current circumstances have led to more controls put in place by the authorities on foreign workers who come to work in our country.

Abela said that today the public consultation on this policy closed and the feedback was very positive, with more than 300 submissions reaching the Government on how third country workers want to come to work in Malta. He said that this policy, the first of its kind, will address the dignity of workers because the Government, with socialist principles, must ensure that every Maltese or foreign worker is treated with appropriate conditions.

He recalled how this policy will seek to strike a balance between the interests of the Maltese and Gozitans, that the labour market is served without the need for more workers than necessary and that employers have enough workers and treat them with dignity.

The Prime Minister said that after the end of the consultation process, the second phase of the Malta Labour Migration Policy will enter into force, which will see that what is proposed will be implemented.