German businesses and industry associations are voicing concerns about a potential shortage of lower-skilled workers, even as the number of refugees arriving in the country declines. They are advocating for streamlined processes to facilitate labor migration to address the growing workforce challenges.
Thomas Ogilvie, Chief Personnel Officer at Deutsche Post, emphasized the urgency of targeted labor migration, including for roles often considered basic, in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FAS). He asserted that a pragmatic and open immigration policy is crucial to successfully navigate future labor market hurdles. He further stressed the need for controlled immigration with minimal bureaucratic obstacles.
The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) echoed this sentiment, noting that the hospitality sector has historically provided opportunities for many refugees. Sandra Warden, Dehoga’s Managing Director, warned against focusing solely on highly skilled workers, claiming it is insufficient. She underscored that foreign workers who are offered decent employment contracts should be enabled to work in Germany, suggesting current regulations, particularly for applicants from the Western Balkans, are inadequate.
Deutsche Bahn also called for simplified procedures, stating that every hire for operational roles is important and that immigration is considered a component of the solution. A spokesperson highlighted the necessity of collaboration between government, employment agencies and labor unions to clarify and, crucially, simplify regulatory frameworks.
The hospitality, logistics and transport sectors have been amongst the most significant employers of refugees in recent decades. Notably, employment rates among male refugees arriving in 2015 and 2016 currently surpass the national average. While the potential for lower-skilled labor among newly arrived Ukrainians has been acknowledged, it is considered limited due to their generally higher education levels. Severe labor shortages have been particularly acute following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.