Concerns are emerging regarding the potential impact of tightening immigration policies on Germany’s ongoing shortage of skilled workers. Federal Labour Minister Bärbel Bas has cautioned against measures that could deter potential foreign employees from seeking work in the country.
Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Minister Bas highlighted the risk of stricter immigration rules exacerbating the existing skills gap. She emphasized the negative consequences of deporting individuals already holding job or training opportunities. Such actions, she stated, create uncertainty for employers who are reluctant to hire individuals with ambiguous residency prospects.
To streamline the process and address bureaucratic hurdles, Minister Bas announced plans for a centralized agency focusing on attracting skilled workers. Currently, procedures are handled individually by each municipality and foreign authority. The envisioned “Work-and-Stay-Agency” aims to consolidate all processes, ensuring clearer points of contact and reducing delays. Detailed plans for this agency are expected to be presented later this fall.
Minister Bas also underscored the responsibility of the business sector in addressing the skills shortage. She noted that companies reliant on skilled workers must actively invest in training and development initiatives.