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Nurse in clinic: Germany needs immigration
Photo: Daniel Bockwoldt / dpa
There is already a shortage of around half a million skilled workers in Germany.
The baby boomers of the baby boomers of the 1960s will soon be retiring and demographic change is intensifying.
The federal government now wants to take countermeasures with a new strategy for recruiting skilled workers from abroad and adopt corresponding changes in the law at the beginning of 2023.
The rules for entry and recognition of professional qualifications are to be simplified.
The cabinet passed a key issues paper on Wednesday.
Among other things, this stipulates that job seekers from third countries “with good potential” should be able to stay in Germany to look for a job.
For this purpose, an “opportunity card” is to be introduced based on the model of the Canadian points system.
Another pillar of the new concept is to enable those third-country nationals who have at least two years of professional experience and a professional qualification of at least two years that is state-recognized in their country of origin to immigrate.
In the future, this group of non-regulated professions will no longer need their qualifications to be formally recognized in Germany.
"The recognition (of professional qualifications) will continue to play an important role, but it must become easier," said Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP).
Digitization should also help here, for example with the possibility of submitting applications digitally.
Knowledge of German is not always a requirement
The salary threshold is to be lowered for IT specialists who have previously been able to come to Germany without a degree.
In addition, proof of German language skills will no longer be required in the future.
According to the proposals, the EU Blue Card for foreign university graduates should be awarded more frequently.
The card offers improved conditions for family reunification, unlimited residence and job changes.
The federal government also wants to strengthen educational migration - i.e. the opportunity to come to Germany for vocational training or studies in order to stay permanently.
New opportunities for short-term employment are also planned.
"In the event of an acute shortage of workers" in occupations without special qualification requirements, there should be a "new, contingent way into short-term employment".
People who perceive this should be protected “from wage dumping by collective agreements and compulsory social insurance”.
In addition, there should be a permanent regulation for skilled workers from Western Balkan countries.
Since 2016, Germany has given nationals from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia access to the labor market.
This regulation for the Western Balkan countries was previously limited to the end of 2023 and is now to apply without a time limit.
The federal government wants to “at least significantly increase the quota of currently up to 25,000 first-time applications per year and strive to expand it to other countries”.
»We will pull out all the stops«
Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) referred to the importance of the skilled workers offensive.
"Germany needs all helping hands and clever minds in the future," said Heil.
"Securing skilled workers is securing prosperity," he said.
In all areas, such as nursing, childcare or public administration, millions of additional workers would be needed by 2035.
"We will pull out all the stops to leverage domestic potential," said Heil.
This also includes easier access for foreign workers to the German labor market.
The federal government's plans for a "massive recruitment strategy" are a "big and important step".
According to Heil, the Bundestag should deal with the innovations in the immigration of skilled workers at the beginning of next year.
Merz warns of additional immigration
Union faction leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) was ready to talk despite criticism of the federal government's plans. The Union was "open to a discussion," said Merz in the ZDF "Morgenmagazin".
However, he warned against “additionally triggering immigration into the labor market, so to speak”.
Because there are already many foreign people in Germany who "simply cannot be used in the labor market".
Merz advocated that the federal government take care of these people first.
She must ensure "that they are integrated into the labor market as quickly as possible."
mmq/dpa/AFP
