Elia Managing Director and MasterChef Malta judge Pawlu Borg Bonaci has urged people to show compassion towards foreign workers, stating that the love and care shown to his father Carmelo by foreign nurses and carers during his final days left a lasting impression on him.

Mr Borg Bonaci said these people showed “incredible” tenderness and care when dealing with his father, making sure he never lost his dignity, and displaying real human emotions. 

“Knowing that my father was loved during his final days, even by the workers at his side, leaves me without words to express my gratitude,” he said.

“When my father passed away, the first thing I did was thank these people. A nurse comforted me and cried with me. Thank you for this.”

Mr Borg Borg Bonaci questioned the Government's strategy towards TCNs and pointed out that Finance Minister Clyde Caruana had previously said they were necessary to sustain Malta’s economic growth.

He pointed out that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat reinforced this argument during an interview by saying that Maltese people need foreign workers if they want to be served by food delivery services, carers, cleaners, taxi drivers and bus drivers.

“Before I can say whether I agree with the Budget measures or not, I must first understand what the strategy is,” he said.

“Is it to make more money off them or to encourage them to leave Malta or not come here at all. So where are we taking this country? Has the strategy changed?”

However, he stressed that he has no intention of trying to change people’s minds or making a political statement, but rather to appeal to people’s human natures when discussing the Budget measures.

“I beg you, from the bottom of my heart, and out of gratitude towards these people, our brothers and sisters, to show restraint when commenting,” he said.

“Some of the comments of contempt I’ve seen have hurt even me. You can disagree, you can be angry, and perhaps you even have good reason to be.”

“But remember that we were the ones who brought them here, and that they have feelings just like you and me. I will never forget what they did to me, my family and my father.”