Germany’s ruling coalition is laying the groundwork for reforming the immigration system. According to a government source, this will increase Germany’s appeal for skilled workers and fill thousands more vacancies on Germany’s labour market.
A source claims that the reforms will include an “opportunitycard”, which allows people to search for work in Germany through a points system. It covers language skills, professional experience, as well as connection to Germany.
Germany’s interior minister, as well as the labour ministers, are determined to make Europe’s biggest economy a destination for immigrant workers. Germany’s public pension system is also growing with the increasing demand for skilled labor. This will lead to a time bomb in the future for both economic growth and demographics.
Hubertus Heil (Labour minister) stated that Germany requires skilled specialists to achieve economic success.
A Labour ministry study has shown that the gap between demand and supply for skilled workers will increase to around 240,000 by 2026.
The Cabinet will decide on these cornerstones in mid-November. According to a source, a draft law will be published in the first quarter next year.
These reforms include the recognition of foreign qualifications being made easier, the granting of longer-term residencies on employment and eliminating obstacles to long-term recruitment of top academics.
German-speaking students who arrive in Germany to study a language will be permitted to work up to 20 hours per semaine. For the EU-wide Blue Card, professionals and university graduates should earn lower wages.
To remove the priority check on foreigners entering Germany for apprenticeships, the Federal Labour Agency won’t require a certificate stating that no foreign applicant has been replaced by a German applicant.
Non-EU citizens should be able to travel to Germany if they are qualified, even if their qualifications have not been officially recognized.
Berlin considers an “incontingent, restricted entry without regard for qualifications” in the event of an immediate shortage of workers within certain industries.
Germany will expand its language course offerings abroad and make them more accessible. It will increase the number and quality of vocational training programs that incorporate German language learning, especially in the nursing field.
This article is shared:
EU Reporter publishes articles sourced from many outside sources that reflect a broad range of views. These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of EU Reporter.
