Minister of Labor Heil is traveling in India to get young people excited about Germany. He advertises the new immigration law, but asks for understanding of bureaucracy. There are also critical questions.
“Skilled labor immigration law” is not an easy word to translate. But the fact that German companies are desperately looking for young talent is a message that Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil, who traveled to India for a G20 ministerial meeting, not only conveys to his counterparts. But also young people personally, in a museum café in New Delhi.
“We have now created a modern immigration law in Germany. The most liberal we have ever had,” says Heil. He wants to make it clear that Germany not only needs a few academics bureaucratically, but that there is a real need for massively qualified immigration – including for people with professional qualifications. “I’m looking forward to talking to young people who are planning to come to Germany,” he says.
“I would like to be independent”
19-year-old Kritika wants to be an aerospace engineer. She has already received her admission for a corresponding course at a north German university. “I’m looking forward to making new contacts. I want to see the diversity in Germany and also try the food,” she says.
From her point of view, the following also speak in favor of Germany: a free and practice-oriented university system, safe cities to live and work in, strong employee rights and good overall prospects for a successful career. Kritika says: “I am a young woman, I would like to be independent. So why not today?”
Heil promotes understanding of bureaucracy
But before that, the paperwork is waiting: Translation of their Indian school leaving certificates, student visa, proof of maintenance, language certificate. The Federal Minister asks for your understanding. But the process should be faster – especially for craft and training occupations.
All you need is training in your home country, in this case India, and an employment contract to come to Germany, explains Heil. With the new points system, people could also come to Germany to look for work, provided that security of subsistence is guaranteed. “So: The law is already reducing a lot of bureaucracy, but we also have to speed up the procedures,” he says.
Agreement to be expanded
In addition to the bureaucracy, the young Indian woman who wants to emigrate also has other critical questions for the federal minister: “I read in an article that there is a bit of racism in Germany.”
You shouldn’t do it like in the 1960s, says Heil, when the guest worker generation was invited to work, but they weren’t always treated as human beings. “We say: Anyone who comes to Germany, works with us and pays taxes, contributes to the success of our society, to the success of our country – can also become part of our society.” And in case of doubt, they will also become German nationals, according to the minister.
The existing German-Indian placement agreement for young nursing staff is now to be extended to the IT sector and trades. The Indian economy is by no means able to offer good jobs to all school graduates in the country. Those who emigrate usually send money back home. And Germany doesn’t want to lose touch in the race of aging industrialized countries for young talents from India.