In response to chronic labor shortages across various industries, the German parliament has approved a law aimed at easing immigration rules for skilled workers.
Germany, as Europe’s leading economy, has long grappled with a lack of workers due to its aging population, resulting in approximately two million unfilled job positions by the end of 2022.
Members of the ruling coalition voted in favor of the legislative changes, which are designed to streamline the process for foreign skilled workers to enter the German job market.
The new rules include the introduction of a points system modeled after Canada’s, which takes into account factors such as skills, education, and language proficiency.
Furthermore, foreign vocational qualifications will receive broader recognition.
Economy Minister Robert Habeck expressed his support for the new measures, highlighting labor shortages as one of the “pressing problems” faced by Germany.
This legislation aims to address the workforce gaps and alleviate the strain on industries such as hospitality, healthcare, and construction by attracting and integrating skilled workers from abroad.
