2023-06-23 19:09:36
The final twists and turns of the traffic light parties in the struggle for the new Skilled Immigration Act have once again provided impressions of how conclusive (or inconclusive) their statements are in dealing with the migration issues of the present. Those of the Greens are clear: In principle, they want open paths for everyone, whether with asylum or work as the primary goal. The FDP tends towards more restrictive answers to asylum migration, but wants even broader paths for workers. And while the SPD is largely very open to asylum migration, it is most likely to have defensive reflexes when it comes to immigration into the labor market.
That explains some of the inconsistencies in the reform that has now been passed by the Bundestag. Overall, however, it is progress – at least a first step towards giving the criterion of the domestic need for qualified workers a higher priority in immigration policy. So far, it has not been an absurd description of the situation that it is more complicated to obtain a residence permit for skilled workers through the regular authorities than to obtain a toleration status through the asylum route, which then at some point leads to the prospect of permanent residence.
The new law does not touch the core of the explosive question of how to deal properly with increasing refugee migration. But it is also a signal to those who are not primarily looking for protection from war and expulsion: adapting as well as possible to Germany’s requirements for qualified workers, with language courses and professional experience, is more promising than seeking asylum. However, the signal could have been even stronger.
Do side jobs with a maximum of 20 hours
In some respects, the new law also breathes a spirit of reserve towards those who should be particularly welcome from an economic point of view. This is reflected, for example, in the new points system. This is undoubtedly an important innovation because it clearly shows which specific requirements motivated people from all over the world have to meet in order to be able to seek their fortune in Germany. But then there was a lack of confidence that the quality of the applicants could really be controlled by the number of points.
Instead, it’s like this: anyone who clears the points hurdle can only do part-time jobs for a maximum of 20 hours – until they can prove that they have found a qualified position that can be approved, for which a new residence permit must then be applied for at the immigration office. It would be more consistent to set the point criteria (e.g. with regard to language skills and professional qualifications) in such a way that no further restrictions have to be imposed on those who overcome this hurdle. Anyone who has acquired very good language skills and all the skills for a demanding job will hardly get bogged down in low-wage competition for simple jobs. Rather, he seeks his chances in another country.
It is also not conclusive why temporary employment agencies should not contribute more to the hoped-for recruitment of skilled workers. It is about the very everyday question of how a small industrial company in rural areas can benefit from the new law at all: It needs professional service providers with contacts all over the world; find suitable applicants and prepare them for the requirements; who guide them through the authorities – and who can, if necessary, also offer the immigrants an alternative job if things don’t work out as hoped. After all, getting involved with a little-known company in a small town far away is also a risk for those being courted. In the future, this service may be available for academics with a starting salary of more than EUR 43,800.
Manfred Schäfers, Berlin Published/Updated: Recommendations: 19 Hanna Decker Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 13 Christoph Hein Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 19 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 5
However, the success of the law also depends on factors that have little to do with its details: the official processes must finally work in such a way that not only those applicants who do not find a chance elsewhere are patient enough. And in view of the burdens caused by refugee migration, it remains a major task to secure approval in society for an inviting immigration policy for skilled workers.
From an economic point of view, this is quite clear: Especially if one assumes that taking in refugees causes noticeable costs in addition to climate protection and other projects, it is all the more necessary to strengthen the productive forces in Germany. By this measure, basically every above-average skilled immigrant who starts working almost seamlessly makes a positive contribution. And with the loss of skilled workers due to the approaching retirement age of the baby boomers, this contribution will automatically increase.
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