Germany is about to open up to more skilled workers from abroad. On Wednesday, the federal cabinet passed a draft law by Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD), which she had drawn up together with Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil. “If we don’t pull out all the stops now, the shortage of workers and skilled workers threatens to become a permanent brake on growth in Germany,” said Heil (SPD) on Wednesday in Berlin. The government hopes that the new Skilled Immigration Act will bring about 75,000 additional workers from countries outside the EU each year. Business and trade unions largely welcomed the regulations.
What is particularly noteworthy about the draft law is the points system, with which a so-called opportunity card for looking for work in Germany can be purchased. In the meantime, a part-time job or a probationary period is possible. Well-trained specialists from third countries should not only work in the profession they have learned, but should also be allowed to take on other qualified jobs. In addition, people who have at least two years of professional training recognized by a foreign country will be allowed to enter the country in the future. Unlike before, it is no longer mandatory to have the training previously recognized as equivalent to a German qualification. In addition, the recognition procedures are to be simplified. The recognition process is “one of the biggest problems and bottlenecks” to attract more workers, said Faeser.
At the same time, the cabinet introduced a further training law. It is intended to provide financial support for the qualifications of employees in Germany, for example by securing their livelihood during the training period. According to Minister Heil’s draft law, young people are entitled to an external training position with a training guarantee.