The effort to create a labour migration policy was long overdue, "and it is disturbing that the government took more than ten years to realise the need for the sector to be regulated," the ADPD said in its statement.

The ADPD published its reactions which it submitted to the Labour Migration Policy proposed by the government.

The party said that the lack of regulation has led to the exploitation of many workers, "with some even ending up being trafficked". It added that another serious consequence is that there was a sentiment of racism which placed the blame on those being exploited rather than those doing the exploiting. The party said that this exploitation having been allowed to go on in order to satisfy an economy based on cheap labour "remains a stain on the national conscience", and that such a policy should help to begin addressing the stain.

It said that while agreeing with the four principles on which the policy is based on, the ADPD feels that the principle of justice with the workers and the protection of their rights had to be given the first priority from which the other principles emerge. It remarked that it is through protected rights that stability in the sector can be guaranteed while also having as many workers as needed and encouraging foreign workers to be trained in their fields.

The party stated that justice calls for immigrant workers who sought asylum and who have been in Malta for years as a result of bureaucracy or difficulties in their native country, among other reasons, to be given the right to stay in Malta. It continued that these persons should not be penalised for a delay over which they had no control.

It expressed agreement with proposals which would control the number of foreign workers according to how many workers are needed. Furthermore, it said that this should reduce the blatant abuse of some, who filled the labour market with workers that the country did not need, only to use the workers and then dispose of them.

The ADPD said that it also agrees with employers having to first hire Maltese and EU workers. It added that this ensures that workers from third countries who are employed after the Maltese and EU workers are given the same conditions and same pay for the same work. It added that it agrees that TCN workers should be paid into a bank account, but remarked that the government should perhaps intervene with banks in order to speed up the process of opening accounts due to "the fact that banks are taking too long in order to open personal accounts".

There are various other measures within the labour migration policy with which the ADPD expressed agreement with, such as increasing the time allowed for TCN workers to find another job, as well as increasing work contracts from one year to two years, as it commented that this reduces bureaucracy and costs for everyone, while also incentivising longer employment contracts which guarantee more stability.

The ADPD said that it is good that the policy focuses on the need for enforcement, as it feels this policy can only be effective if the enforcement of what is being proposed is serious. However, the ADPD commented that it does not agree with the government's position that those who abuse workers should not be "named and shamed." It continued that such a measure would discourage those individuals from trying to "fatten their pockets" at the expense of workers, both Maltese and foreign.

It commented that the inclusion of trade unions and their role to protect the interests of TCN workers is crucial. It added that it agrees with the need for TCN workers to be asked to train as an integral part of their work permit, and stated that it feels such workers should have the possibility to take the training at least partially from their working time.

The ADPD concluded that this policy should be used alongside other policies, especially those regarding access, inclusion, and welfare. It added that local councils should be included in this process as they are closest to these workers in the communities where they live.