On Wednesday, the German government adopted a draft bill to facilitate the movement of qualified immigrant workers from outside the European Union to Germany.
As the German media comment, the Law on the Immigration of the Professional Workforce (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) is complicated. From 2020, it is to attract employees from outside the European Union to Germany. – But not everyone – emphasizes Horst Seehofer, Minister of the Interior.
German employers are happy with the new regulations and hope that they will be a solution to problems of the lack of employees in many industries.
Easier procedures for foreigners
When the regulations come into force, employees from outside the EU will be able to come to Germany and look for a job in this country for six months. There is only one condition – such a person must know the German language at a level that will enable him or her to work. Persons under 25 will be able to come to Germany to obtain qualifications or education. For this you will need to know the language at the intermediate level (B2). At the same time, the offer of subsidized language courses will be expanded.
The Ministry of the Interior, however, reserves the right to introduce a regulation specifying professional groups for which no permission to travel will be issued. This will, however, only apply to occupations with a high percentage of unemployed people in Germany.
Employers’ associations and business organizations have been demanding such facilities for years. The politicians also saw the need to introduce them, but they had trouble agreeing on the details of the immigration law.
Polish employers have reasons to worry
Experts warn that the adoption of the German Immigration Act may have a major impact on the labour market in Poland. The new regulations may cause a massive outflow of Ukrainians from Poland.
According to a survey conducted by Work Service among Ukrainian employees in Poland, as much as 59 percent admitted that they were considering moving to Germany after the adoption of the Immigration Act.
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