PN pledges to set up 'population authority'
Increased security in Gozo and Maltese qualifications for TCNs among the PN population pledges
A Nationalist government will set up a ‘population authority’ that will publish labour market studies and a national capacity plan, party leader Alex Borg has pledged.
During a news conference on Thursday focusing on population, Borg unveiled a list of policy measures that the PN would take if elected into government.
Among the measures is a population authority that will carry out regular research, including labour market studies, a population levels plan and a national capacity plan.
Malta's population hit 574,250 last year, with 30 per cent non Maltese in growth largely fuelled by net migration.
The PN pledged to introduce two one-stop shops to reduce bureaucratic pressures when applying for passports, residence permits, and other identity documents.
The first ‘shop’ will be tailored to Maltese and EU citizens for ID cards, passports and residence permits. The second will cater to employers and third-country nationals, and will be responsible for visas, work and residence permits.
A PN government would also increase security efforts by setting up a joint task force responsible for border enforcement and repatriation. Borg also pledged increased police presence in Gozo.
The PN would also reform the Immigration Appeals Board to make it more independent, transparent and credible. The board would be presided over by a magistrate to lower the perception of political interference, Borg said.
Third-country nationals entering the country will have to achieve a basic qualification in Maltese to encourage better communication, especially for TCNs in client-facing jobs.
On Wednesday evening, Borg told a party rally that the PN would cover half the interest paid by first-time buyers on their home loan for the first 10 years. However, he had not said how much the measure would cost.
When asked about it during Thursday’s press conference, Borg said the measure would cost €2.8 million annually. This would be offset by several revenue-generating measures being proposed by the PN, he said.