The government has implemented and is implementing a policy against irregular immigration with the fight against human traffickers being central to it, focusing on the return of non-refugees and leading to a 93% drop in arrivals, the Labour Party said in a statement Wednesday.

This policy based on prevention, return and relocation, is the biggest and most efficient weapon against those who want to exploit human beings and that is why the Labour Party supports the government's position on this matter and the results speak for themselves, the PL said.

In recent years, government policy has led to a 93% drop in arrivals, and this success was achieved notwithstanding the Nationalist Party's lack of support, going to the extreme of wanting to imprison Armed Forces of Malta soldiers through court cases and magisterial inquiries, the PL said.

A fair immigration policy is one that is tough with those who abuse and merciful with those who truly deserve it, and the Labour government has done so and shall continue to do so. Lives have been saved wherever it was necessary and shall continue to be the case.

The government cooperated with other countries, including those serving as transit countries, and it was in this way that it fought human traffickers. Those who facilitate irregular immigration are doing human traffickers a favour, and so is the PN's partisan narrative, the PL said.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has consistently stressed that while border management is an important measure, other initiatives are needed. This includes financial support to countries of origin to develop and create economic opportunities, but this must be done collaboratively to ensure mutual benefit.

It is a pity that the Nationalist Party is re-politicising the issue of irregular immigration, instead of supporting the government and welcoming the positive results that have been achieved in recent years and on which we can build upon to also ensure that those who truly deserve protection are given so, the PL said.