The language used by the head of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services about two Syrian nationals did not reflect the beliefs of the Social Solidarity Ministry, a spokeswoman said, stopping short of saying whether any action had been taken.
Alfred Grixti, the foundation’s CEO, last week called for the deportation of Syrians who featured in a news item and whom he described as mischief makers who scared tourists away.
According to the TVM report, two Syrians were arrested following a fight at Buġibba square.
WATCH: Brawl in Buġibba square
Mr Grixti wrote on his Facebook page: “Back to their country today before tomorrow… the government does its best to increase tourism and enhance the Maltese touristic product and then these four mischief-makers scare away our tourists.
“This is unacceptable behaviour. This is not a xenophobic comment – we have a right to protect our interests, especially the economic pillar of tourism,” he wrote in the post shared with his Facebook friends.
This newspaper contacted the Social Solidarity Ministry to ask whether it was aware of the comments and whether it had taken any action. A spokeswoman said Mr Grixti was expressing a personal opinion on his personal Facebook account about what he described as unacceptable behaviour in an incident reported by the local media as a massive fight.
The language used does not reflect the ministry’s belief
“While the language used does not reflect the ministry’s belief and the work it carries out, in the same personal post, Mr Grixti also made it clear that his comment was not in any way related to a race but a comment about the need to safeguard the interests of all families in Buġibba and, particularly, the tourism sector upon which many workers depend.
“Definitely different from declaring that Malta should repatriate 80 per cent of its immigrants as promised by one of the contestants for PN leadership,” she said.
She was again asked whether the ministry had taken any action but no answer had been received by the time of writing.
When contacted, Mr Grixti said: “I have nothing more to add than the reply already sent to you by the ministry.”