FDP party pushes for points-based immigration in Germany
Germany’s liberal FDP party is pushing for the introduction of a points system based on the Canadian model to tackle the country's shortage of skilled workers.
Germany has been struggling to fill its lack of skilled workers for some time now and in the first quarter of this year, the labour market shortfall reached record levels.
To tackle this problem, the FDP party – one of the three parties in the traffic light coalition government - is pushing for a points system based on the Canadian model to be introduced as soon as possible.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The German industries ‘most affected’ by skilled worker shortage
"Canadian experience shows that more than 60 percent of immigrants are gained via this route," FDP party vice chairman Johannes Vogel told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. "That's why we must by no means neglect the path of so-called self-organized immigration in the new set of rules."
It's understood that a points-based system such as what Vogel describes, could mean that immigration would be permitted without the need for a concrete job offer, which has so far been required by German immigration law. Instead, the system would award points based on factors such as a high level of education, young age, and good language skills.
In July, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (both SPD) presented key points for immigration law reform, on which the traffic light parties had agreed to in the coalition agreement.
Vogel said that he thought this "first step" was good, but that the proposed entry possibilities in the event of a job offer should also be supplemented by a points system.
READ ALSO: 'Appointments in English': How Germany wants to attract talent from abroad
Comments
See Also
Germany has been struggling to fill its lack of skilled workers for some time now and in the first quarter of this year, the labour market shortfall reached record levels.
To tackle this problem, the FDP party – one of the three parties in the traffic light coalition government - is pushing for a points system based on the Canadian model to be introduced as soon as possible.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The German industries ‘most affected’ by skilled worker shortage
"Canadian experience shows that more than 60 percent of immigrants are gained via this route," FDP party vice chairman Johannes Vogel told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. "That's why we must by no means neglect the path of so-called self-organized immigration in the new set of rules."
It's understood that a points-based system such as what Vogel describes, could mean that immigration would be permitted without the need for a concrete job offer, which has so far been required by German immigration law. Instead, the system would award points based on factors such as a high level of education, young age, and good language skills.
In July, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (both SPD) presented key points for immigration law reform, on which the traffic light parties had agreed to in the coalition agreement.
Vogel said that he thought this "first step" was good, but that the proposed entry possibilities in the event of a job offer should also be supplemented by a points system.
READ ALSO: 'Appointments in English': How Germany wants to attract talent from abroad
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.