Immigration law and the importance of skilled labor immigration
There is a shortage of skilled workers in Germany. This is nothing new and has been known for many years. However, the country is increasingly facing enormous challenges. Without a well-thought-out immigration policy, the shortage of skilled workers can hardly be overcome. This is why the Immigration Act and the targeted immigration of skilled workers in Germany are central to the political and economic debate. If Germany is to maintain its status as one of the economically strongest countries in the world, it is dependent on qualified workers from abroad. This is the only way it can secure its international competitiveness in the long term and keep its social system stable.
Table of contents
- Immigration law and the importance of skilled labor immigration
- What is the he Skilled Immigration Act?
- Which importance does skilled labor immigration have for Germany?
- How does the practical implementation of skilled worker immigration work?
- What are the challenges and criticisms?
- What measures are there to improve the influx of skilled workers?
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
What is the he Skilled Immigration Act?
The Skilled Immigration Act came into force in Germany in March 2020. It is one of the country's key reforms. It is intended to facilitate the immigration of qualified workers to Germany. The aim of the law is to simplify the immigration of skilled workers from other countries. It also aims to create a clear legal framework for work. German companies are to be put in a position to fill vacancies in their companies with qualified workers from abroad.
The Skilled Immigration Act has abolished the priority check. This was previously a check to ensure that no suitable applicant from Germany or the European Union was available for a position. This check has now been suspended for various professions. As a result, German companies are able to draw on skilled workers from abroad more quickly. However, it is important here that the foreign specialist has a vocational or university degree that is also recognized in Germany.
The law also offers foreign skilled workers the opportunity to enter the country with a professional qualification, even if they do not have an academic degree. Above all, this facilitates the immigration of highly qualified specialists. Engineers or IT experts, but also skilled workers from the care sector, the skilled trades and the catering industry can thus enter the country more easily. The law has simplified the recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad.
Which importance does skilled labor immigration have for Germany?
The German population is ageing. As a result, the state is also experiencing a decline in the working population. There are projections from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). According to these, there could be a shortage of up to 7 million workers in Germany by 2035. It is therefore important that countermeasures are taken. The healthcare, IT, construction and skilled trades sectors in general are particularly affected. If there is no targeted immigration of qualified specialists, there is a risk of considerable economic losses. In addition, social security systems will be overburdened.
The immigration of skilled workers is therefore a decisive factor in counteracting the labor shortage. They are not only workers on the labor market, they also bring knowledge with them that they transfer. They also ensure cultural diversity in companies. International skilled workers are known for driving innovation and bringing new perspectives to the German economy. For the immigrants, in turn, working in Germany means new career opportunities and a higher standard of living in Germany. So both sides benefit.
In Germany, special programs have been set up to manage immigration in a targeted manner. The focus here is on sectoral recruitment initiatives. This closes specific bottlenecks. There are considerable advantages here, particularly in the care and IT sectors. Nursing staff from different countries can fill the gaps that the domestic labor market alone would not have been able to fill. And we are not just talking about nursing staff or IT experts from Eastern European countriesbut internationally. There are many nursing staff from the Philippines or Mexico and IT experts from India and Brazil who are happy to work in Germany.
How does the practical implementation of skilled worker immigration work?
In order for the immigration of skilled workers to be implemented in practice, various institutions must work closely together. This includes companies and employment agencies, but also the relevant immigration authorities and educational institutions. It is important that foreign professional and university qualifications are accepted in Germany. The competent authorities check whether the qualifications acquired abroad are comparable with German standards. They then also decide whether subsequent professional qualification is necessary. The process is often complex and time-consuming. That is why it is repeatedly criticized.
The EU Blue Card was introduced in Germany. The blue card facilitates access to the German labor market for highly qualified workers from non-EU countries. In order for the blue card to be issued, the candidate must have a university degree. In addition, the job offer must be suitable with a minimum salary. This model has proved particularly successful in the IT and engineering sectors.
It is also important that there are bilateral agreements with the countries of origin. This regulates the legal and organizational framework conditions for immigration. In addition, the skilled workers are specifically prepared for their work in the German labor market. Language courses and intercultural training are offered here. There are also job-specific qualification measures that facilitate the transition to the German labor market. There are already successful examples of such cooperation. The recruitment agreement with the Western Balkan states and programs to recruit nursing staff from South East Asia are particularly worthy of mention here.
What are the challenges and criticisms?
Of course, the Skilled Immigration Act does not solve all problems at once. There are, of course, also challenges associated with the immigration of skilled workers. Above all, the bureaucratic effort involved in applying for visas and the recognition of foreign qualifications is repeatedly mentioned. Many German companies find the processes too slow and complicated. This can deter qualified applicants. There is therefore an urgent need for action here. The procedures must be accelerated and simplified.
Direct foreign skilled workers would also have to be integrated into German society. Language barriers, cultural differences and access to qualified housing often represent a major hurdle for skilled workers from abroad. They should therefore be given special programs to encourage them to stay in Germany permanently. This can be done through language courses, integration, programs and measures for further professional qualification.
What measures are there to improve the influx of skilled workers?
In recent years, various measures have been taken in Germany to further promote the immigration of skilled workers. For example, a central contact point such as the Servicestelle Fachkräftesicherung (SFS) has been set up. There are also companies and skilled workers who provide support with questions about immigration and integration. There is the make it Germany portal, which plays an important role for international skilled workers. It provides comprehensive information for immigrants and facilitates the application process.
It is also important that the countries of origin of the skilled workers cooperate better with Germany. That is why bilateral agreements are important. There should also be targeted recruitment programs for skilled workers. This will prepare them for their work in Germany. For example, there are programs to recruit nurses from the Philippines. There are also programs for recruiting IT specialists from India.
Another point that leads to an improvement in the immigration of skilled workers is the digitalization of administrative processes. Above all, this will speed up the recognition process for foreign qualifications. Applying for visas is also much faster and less complicated. There are currently many countries that have already switched to a digital process. However, there are still countries in Europe in particular where applications still have to be submitted manually. It is therefore important that Europe as a whole goes completely digital.
Germany is currently working on introducing a points system similar to those in Canada and Australia. It will be a useful addition to the existing immigration law in Germany. Do you have any questions or are you looking for skilled workers from abroad? Get in touch with us! We will be happy to help you!
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