German coalition gov't reaches agreement to facilitate immigration of skilled workers

By Timo Kirez

GENEVA (AA) - The coalition government in Germany has reached a final agreement to further facilitate the immigration of skilled workers.

In a joint news conference, secretaries of the coalition parties – Katja Mast of the Social Democrats (SPD), Irene Mihalic of the Greens and Johannes Vogel of the Liberals (FDP) – announced that the bill will be moved to parliament for final discussion this week.

Among the changes to the draft, according to Mihalic, is to allow asylum seekers a right to stay for the purpose of work. They should be able to move into the labor market if they have a living-wage job offer.

This would be good for companies waiting for people already in the country to be able to work here, as well as for municipalities, which would be relieved of bureaucracy and costs, Mihalic said.

Vogel stressed that the regulation only applies to asylum seekers in the process and retroactively. The cut-off date is March 29, 2023, the day the bill became public through a Cabinet decision.

According to Vogel, there will be further changes to the planned "opportunity card." For example, the perspective of being able to stay here is to be clarified for people who have found a job in Germany.

In addition, the minimum income limit at which labor immigration is possible via the so-called "Blue Card" is to be lowered again, to around €3,500 ($3,822) gross per month.

Mast explained that at the same time, the coalition had also agreed on final details for the planned Education and Training Act. This includes a training guarantee for all young people in Germany.

Supporting and promoting domestic potential is the second side of the coin in attracting skilled workers. The law is also to be put to the vote in the Bundestag this week.

With the amendment to the Skilled Workers Immigration Act, the ruling coalition wants to make it much easier for skilled workers to immigrate.

In future, it will be possible for foreigners from non-EU countries to come to Germany to look for work with an “opportunity card” based on a points system.

Skilled workers with vocational qualifications and experience will be able to come without first having their qualifications recognized by Germany. For foreigners with a degree recognized by Germany, the hurdles will be lowered, such as the prescribed minimum salary.