The head of Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, Hans‑Eckhard Sommer, has called for higher incentive payments to encourage Syrians to return voluntarily to their country.
At present the government typically offers €1,000 per adult. Sommer told “Der Spiegel” that this amount is inadequate. “It isn’t enough in my view” he said, adding that the return package should be made far more attractive than it is today.
While making this plea, Sommer also countered concerns that revoking protection titles for Syrians once the civil war ends would force highly skilled workers to leave Germany. He noted that doctors-male or female-can obtain and keep residence permits as skilled professionals. “Those people have control over their own status, and that applies to all highly qualified occupations” he said. “Unfortunately, this has rarely been put into practice”.
Beyond the highly skilled, Sommer advocated for a framework that would allow Syrian workers who are not in elite professions but do work and can support themselves to remain in Germany. “I would, to some extent, support letting these people stay if they can earn a decent living, pay into pension insurance, and secure enough savings to support themselves in old age” he said. “Doing so would also support the many companies that employ them”.