VentureMax CEO calls for ethical hiring practices to support foreign workers in Malta

In a candid LinkedIn post and accompanying video, VentureMax CEO Justin Paul Anastasi shone a spotlight on the challenges faced by foreign workers in Malta, urging the business community to embrace ethical hiring practices and promote fairness in the workplace.

His message centred around the need for a systemic shift towards respect, equality, and sustainable practices in Malta’s labour market.

Mr Anastasi highlighted key issues plaguing foreign workers, such as unfair wages, lack of training, and insufficient support to integrate into Maltese society. These, he argued, create a ripple effect that impacts not only the workers themselves but also businesses and consumers.

“How many times have you gone to a restaurant and the person that you were speaking to just couldn’t understand what it is you were saying?” Mr Anastasi asked in his video.

He pointed out that while many Maltese complain about foreign workers, the underlying issue lies with how these workers are hired. He added, “hiring based on who is cheapest and not who is the most qualified. Little to no training is provided, and they’re just thrown into customer-facing roles. No support to integrate or to improve their skills.”

This practice, according to Mr Anastasi, leads to widespread consequences: “For customers, it’s frustration, bad service and loss of trust. For workers, it’s low salaries, no growth, and no career path. For businesses, it’s reputational damage, and long-term damage towards the sustainability.” He stressed that Malta’s tourism sector, which relies heavily on foreign labour, must address these systemic flaws to ensure long-term viability.

Mr Anastasi also proposed concrete solutions to tackle the issue. He emphasised the importance of hiring workers based on skills rather than wages, with basic English proficiency as a minimum requirement for customer-facing roles. “Businesses need to start investing in training and not just filling the position,” he stated, underscoring the need for better integration and skill development to benefit all stakeholders.

The CEO acknowledged the complex role foreign workers play in Malta’s economy, noting that they are critical to sustaining various sectors. “A good chunk of our economy runs on these types of workers. So do we keep blaming them or do we fix the system?” he asked.