Germany unveils immigration reforms to address labor shortages

Germany has recently unveiled a set of reforms aimed at addressing key hurdles for migrants to the country, particularly those coming from outside the EU. The German government has put forth new policies that prioritize attracting skilled laborers, providing more opportunities for skills training, and promoting immigration from Western Balkan countries. These reforms aim to lay the foundation for a new start in migration policy and address labor shortages, which have become a major economic task in the country.

New Immigration Law Offers Pathways for Skilled Workers

One of these reforms is a proposed new immigration law that offers foreign workers three pathways to enter Germany. Skilled foreign workers can now enter Germany by having their professional or university degree recognized in Germany, having two years of experience in a relevant sector, or applying for an “opportunity card.” The new opportunity card allows individuals without a job offer but with the potential to find work in Germany to apply for entry into the country. The draft law could increase the number of workers from countries outside the EU by 60,000 people per year.

New Points System for Skilled Workers

The German government has put forward a comprehensive migration package that modernizes the country’s immigration, residency, and citizenship laws. One of these bills includes a new points system that considers attributes in five categories – qualifications, German language skills, career experience, connections to Germany, and age. People who meet three or more of these criteria would be eligible for closer consideration. This points system aims to attract skilled foreign workers based on their expertise and potential contribution to the German economy.

Skilled Foreigners Can Work in Germany without Vocational Certificates

Foreigners with adequate job experience and qualifications from their country of origin will be allowed to work in Germany even if those vocational degrees are not recognized in Germany. This move is significant since it will enable people with skills that are in demand in Germany to find employment and contribute to the country’s economic success. Additionally, IT specialists with pertinent job experience will receive EU Blue Cards even if they do not possess a university degree.

Promoting Immigration from Western Balkan Countries

The German government has also extended regulations for job seekers from Western Balkan countries, including Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. The policy allows Germany to recruit up to 50,000 workers annually from these countries. Employment rates among immigrants from these countries to Germany are high after three to five years, and the extension of regulations is welcomed by migration experts.

Education Law Entitles Young People to Paid Off-the-Job Training

The cabinet recently approved an education law that entitles young people to paid off-the-job training. The program will allow young people to undergo training with up to 67% of their net salary paid by Germany’s Federal Labor Agency. With this new education law, young people can undergo necessary training that will prepare them for a wide variety of jobs that may aid in addressing labor shortages in different sectors of the German economy.

In conclusion, Germany’s new immigration reforms are aimed at providing more opportunities for skilled foreign workers and addressing labor shortages. These new policies include offering multiple pathways for skilled foreign workers to enter the country, introducing a new points system for assessing applicants’ qualifications and credentials, promoting immigration from Western Balkan countries, allowing foreigners with adequate job experience to work in Germany even if those vocational degrees are not recognized in the country, and finally enabling young people to undergo paid off-the-job training. These reforms lay the foundation for a new start in German migration policy while positioning the country at the forefront of attracting skilled foreign workers.

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