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New rules 'open door' to skilled foreigners

Published: 27 Feb 13 14:30 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/money/20130227-48227.html

Workers from outside the EU with vocational skills which are in short supply in Germany are to be fast-tracked through the immigration system, according to new rules approved by the cabinet on Wednesday.

The new rules will simplify the entry process for in-demand foreign trained employees to make it easier for them to come and work in Germany, said Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen.

Until now, only workers with vocational skills from inside the EU had easy access to jobs in Germany, whereas non-EU citizens generally had a hard time getting visas and work permits.

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“The new regulation will throw 40 percent of the old clauses overboard and open the door wide for sought-after, trained employees, who can move the country forward,” said the minister.

As of this July foreigners wanting to work in Germany must check whether their training is equal to a formal German traineeship or Ausbilding. This process can be started from abroad.

Regular checks by the Federal Labour Office on the state of the jobs market will determine whether there is a demand for workers trained in a particular profession and create a so-called "positive list."

Foreign applicants for work permits who have proved their training is equal to that offered in Germany will then be checked against this list and fast-tracked according to demand for their skills.

Qualified immigrants are an important factor in securing Germany's future prosperity, said von der Leyen, emphasising that the country's economy could only remain strong in the long term if it had enough skilled workers.

DAPD/The Local/jlb

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

19:07 February 27, 2013 by Sperfeld
Comment removed by The Local for breach of our terms.
21:40 February 27, 2013 by Englishted
emphasising that the country's economy could only remain strong in the long term if it had enough skilled workers.

Agreed but try training them as that is a "long term " solution .

The Federal Labour Office check a list ,will they check if there are German trainees about to complete their training or is that beyond their remit ?,or intellect.
22:46 February 27, 2013 by ovalle3.14
Well of course this law is a good thing, but much needs to be done to change this small town mentality that employers often have when evaluating foreign job applications and reviewing qualifications obtained abroad. That's where the money really is.
14:18 February 28, 2013 by adam.müller
Hundreds of German educated, culturally accustomed foreigner leaves Germany every year after completing their Education because they are not given chance to stay here.

why do not we follow a policy like Australia and allow people who have studied in German universities and school to stay in Germany and work. They are better integrated with German system and culture than new arrivals.
15:52 March 1, 2013 by BadHomburg1963
Sounds like they are expediting the process to de-Germanize Germany. The tax burden needs to be changed for any hopes to keep Germans here.
11:05 March 2, 2013 by Roberto Gold
Comment removed by The Local for breach of our terms.
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