Rabat – The German federal government is planning to facilitate visa procedures to attract non-EU skilled workforce as part of a broad government campaign to tackle job shortage in Germany.
On her weekly podcast on Saturday, December 14, Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed that the shortage in qualified labor could make companies move elsewhere, reported German news outlet DW on Sunday, December 15.
“We know that many sectors and businesses are looking for skilled workers. Without sufficient skilled workers, a business location cannot be successful,” Merkel said.
“That is why it is necessary for us to make every effort to recruit a sufficient number of specialists. Otherwise, companies will have to migrate — and, of course, we do not want that,” she added.
Merkel is set to meet the Federal Minister of Economy Peter Altmayer, state representatives, economic departments, and labor unions, on Monday at the Chancellery Court, to discuss means to tackle the skilled workforce crisis.
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On March 1, 2020, Germany will implement the Skilled Workers Immigration Act to facilitate immigration procedures for skilled workers from non-EU countries.
The meeting is expected to result in the adoption of a memorandum of understanding on how to best put the new skilled immigration law into practice.
To facilitate the implementation of the new law, Germany has taken practical measures by increasing the number of staff in German embassies and consulates abroad to speed up granting entry visas procedures. The program also plans to provide appropriate conditions for submitting applications electronically.
The German government is seeking to expand the German language courses abroad offered by the Goethe Institutes, located in a large number of countries in the world. It also suggests companies and employers in Germany bear the costs of German language courses in appropriate cases, depending on the need for skilled forces.
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Germany is facing a shortage of skilled laborers in the fields of electrical engineering, metalworking, and mechatronics. The country also needs cooks, nurses, aged care workers, computer scientists, and software developers.
Requirements to work in Germany include holding the EU Blue Card for Germany — a work and residence permit, issued to highly skilled workers. The card allows the holder to live and work in Germany for up to four years at first and extend the stay if they still meet the requirements.
In order to have the EU Blue Card, applicants must have a German degree or a degree recognized by Germany, having a job offer from an employer in Germany, and having at least five years of work experience.
In case of finding a job before entering Germany, application for the EU Blue Card can be submitted while in the home country with the help of the employer.
