Germany is facing major challenges. We must combat climate change, digitize the economy and the world of work, and cope with demographic change. The good news is that we’re not running out of work. On the contrary: we are currently seeing record employment. At the same time, we see skilled labor shortages in many professions, industries and regions, which will continue to worsen in the future if we do not take active countermeasures.
It must be the effort of all of us to leverage the potential that exists in our country. These include, for example, people looking for work, people who take on responsibility in the family, older people, people with disabilities and people with a migration background. We need more professional opportunities and better framework conditions for them to take up or extend their employment.
But even if we exploit this potential, we will need a wide range of talents to immigrate to the German labor market. Otherwise we will not master the tasks facing our country.
We have to actively and credibly convince people from abroad that it is worth coming to live and work in Germany. This also includes fair migration and attractive working conditions. We can already see that without the contribution of the people who have their roots in all parts of the world, many things in Germany would not work. They keep our economy running and help shape our society every day.
When recruiting abroad, we have to be realistic. Germany is often not the first choice for committed and well-educated people worldwide. We are in competition with other countries. The further development of immigration law planned by the federal government is a step in the right direction, but it will not be enough.
A modern legal framework is the basis for successful integration into the labor market and society. But behind the laws, the processes and procedures play an essential role.
For people who want to immigrate to Germany, the German administration is one of the first places they come into contact with. The administration shapes how people experience Germany. Many employees work here with commitment to master the challenges they are faced with.
The reality is, however, that long waiting times, non-transparent procedures and complex bureaucracy in a foreign language have a deterrent effect on the individual decision to come to Germany. We have to get better here.
The BDA and DGB therefore appeal to all stakeholders involved at federal, state and local level to design the processes and procedures in such a way that they become faster, more transparent and plannable for immigrants and their employers.
In particular, the issuing of visas must be adapted to actual and forecast needs and digitized so that months of waiting can finally come to an end. Immigration authorities are the central players in Germany. They must be set up nationwide in terms of expertise, technology and personnel so that they can do their job justice. We suggest further developing the foreign authorities into immigration offices.
The processes and procedures in the field of professional recognition and qualification must be accelerated and obstacles removed. If we want to get specialists interested in Germany and keep them in the long term, they and their families have to feel welcome in Germany. Integration into the labor market is important. But we also have to look at the families and support their social integration – especially through integration and language courses and counseling services.
Everyone is required for integration to succeed. The companies and their employees live it every day. Work is an engine of integration. The companies, works and staff councils are ready to make their contribution and to support their employees or colleagues from abroad in the best possible way.
