On Friday 23 June, the Bundestag passed its much-awaited Immigration Act for Skilled Workers (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz). The new legislation takes inspiration from the Canadian points-based model. Focusing on immigration from third countries, it opens up significantly the opportunities for those seeking employment in Germany and lowers numerous barriers, for example by liberalising family reunification.
In the view of Nancy Faeser, Germany’s Minister of the Interior and Community, who steered the legislative process alongside Labour and Social Affairs Minister Hubertus Heil, the growing shortage of skilled labour is increasingly “harmful” to the German economy. Projections suggest that there will be a shortfall of 7 million workers by 2035, which the German government believes fully justifies the vote on the new immigration law by the parliamentary majority on the morning of Friday 23...
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Article authors
Thomas Schnee
Freelance