On June 23, German parliament gave their approval to a plan aimed at attracting skilled workers to address labour shortages in a growing number of professions, Euronews reports.
The legislation, which was passed with a vote of 388-234 in favour, introduces a “points system” taking into account professional experience and other factors, along the lines of systems already used by countries such as Canada. It will ease entry rules for information technology specialists who lack university degrees but have other qualifications.
Under the approved plan, asylum seekers who arrived before March 29 and have qualifications and a job offer can obtain a residence permit as a professional by withdrawing their asylum applications. This eliminates the need for them to leave the country and reapply for a work permit. Highly skilled workers will also be allowed to bring more family members to Germany, provided they can financially support them.
Germany has been wrestling with the challenge of attracting skilled workers from outside the European Union for several years. Experts claim that as its aging workforce shrinks, the country requires an estimated 400,000 skilled immigrants annually.
The national labour agency recently reported that 200 out of approximately 1,200 surveyed professions experienced labour shortages last year, up from 148 the previous year. Among the professions facing shortages are bus drivers, service jobs in the hospitality industry, metalwork, nursing care, child care, construction, automotive technology, truck driving, architecture, pharmacy, and information technology.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser highlighted the shortage of skilled labour as a major impediment to Germany's economic growth, stating that skilled workers are needed in all sectors. She referred to the approved legislation as a significant step for the country's future.
“The shortage of skilled labour is considered one of the biggest brakes on economic growth in Germany, and skilled workers are missing everywhere,” she stated.
However, Andrea Lindholz, a senior lawmaker from the main conservative opposition bloc, criticized the plan, claiming that it would primarily attract low-skilled individuals, allow migrants who are supposed to leave to remain in the country and reduce German language requirements. Lindholz expressed concerns that the government's approach could incentivize illegal immigration to Germany.
With the new legislation, Germany aims to create a more flexible and streamlined system to attract skilled workers, filling the labour gaps in key professions and supporting the country's economic growth in the long term.
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