Malta's current economic rhythm would not have been possible without foreign workers, the Malta Developers Association said on Friday.

It said in a statement foreign workers in Malta were making national insurance contributions and paying direct and indirect taxation through their consumption.

As a result, Malta was now economically abreast with the leading EU states and, therefore, these workers should be welcomed as long as they respected the law, including that regulating employment.

Any measures taken to curb the influx of foreign workers would harm the economy as the momentum achieved would be stalled, the MDA said.

On Tuesday, Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia warned of “socio-cultural ruin” if the influx of foreign workers is not carefully managed as part of a long-term economic plan.

But Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Wednesday foreign workers were needed to sustain growth.