---
title: "Abela Suggests Employers Help Carry Cost of Public Services for Foreign Workers"
date: 2026-10-29T11:01:34.153+00:00
updated: 2026-10-29T11:01:34.153+00:00
topics: ["Politics", "Economy", "National"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-10-29/abela-suggests-employers-help-carry-cost-of-public-services-for-foreign-workers
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# Abela Suggests Employers Help Carry Cost of Public Services for Foreign Workers

## In brief

- Prime Minister Robert Abela stated that employers should help cover the costs of state services utilised by third-country nationals.
- Abela defended newly introduced Budget 2027 fees and restrictions, arguing Malta cannot offer all public services free of charge to newcomers.
- The Prime Minister maintained that while non-EU workers remain essential to the economy, public infrastructure and finances face sustained pressure.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended recent government decisions to introduce fresh restrictions and administrative fees on third-country nationals, arguing that the state cannot be expected to provide every service without charge.

Speaking to journalists, Abela suggested that employers who recruit foreign workers should contribute towards the expenses incurred by the state in providing infrastructure and public services for those employees.

The Prime Minister underlined that while foreign workers remain vital for sustaining various sectors of the Maltese economy, no country operates an open-ended policy of offering free public services immediately upon arrival.

Abela stressed that the government must strike a balance between economic requirements and the capacity of national services. He argued that public finances and social infrastructure need protection from excessive strain.

The remarks follow the presentation of Budget 2027, which contains a series of targeted measures and fees concerning third-country nationals and international recruitment.

Abela insisted that the policy adjustments are necessary to ensure sustainability, maintaining that businesses benefiting from foreign labour ought to shoulder part of the associated public costs.

## The Spin Room

**Low media divide.** Reporting across outlets was aligned, with coverage focusing uniformly on the Prime Minister's remarks regarding employer contributions and foreign labour costs.

## Sources (2)

- [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/watch-abela-suggests-employers-help-carry-cost-services-tcns-use.1136280)
- [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/local/robert-abela-says-employers-should-help-cover-costs-of-services-used-by-foreign-workers/)

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