Berlin The FDP calls for the introduction of English as an additional administrative language in German authorities. This emerges from a ten-point position paper on the challenges of immigration policy, which is available to the Handelsblatt.
“Language is the key to successful integration,” the paper says. The promotion of German for skilled workers and their families must therefore be further expanded. “At the same time, English should be established alongside German as an additional administrative language in authorities in order to make administrative procedures easier.”
The paper was drawn up by Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) and party Vice President Johannes Vogel and is to be approved by the party executive committee on Monday. The Liberals want to force the plans of the traffic light coalition for a reform of immigration law. The background is that the shortage of skilled workers has recently worsened.
When asked by the Handelsblatt, Vogel said: “The current chaos at the airports due to the shortage of workers is only the harbinger.” Therefore, the rules on immigration should be “more attractive”.
Vogel advised taking an example from successful immigration countries like Canada. “We need a points system and a better Blue Card as soon as possible,” he warned, and called on Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) “precisely because we have no time to lose” to present the new immigration law before the end of this year.
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According to the early summer survey by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), every second company names the shortage of skilled workers as a business risk. The Central Association of German Crafts alone currently assumes an estimated 250,000 missing craftsmen.
Vogel also attributes this to a global competition for the best talent – from IT specialists to craftsmen and women to nursing staff. “With us, the shortage will continue to grow because we are an aging society, many people are earning their retirement,” said the FDP politician.
In its paper, the FDP names the removal of hurdles in the recognition of educational and professional qualifications from abroad and the further expansion of the Blue Card for non-academic professions as a “special priority”. The so-called lane change must also be expanded quickly. “If people come to Germany and go through an asylum procedure, but actually already meet the requirements for a residence permit upon arrival, then an ongoing asylum procedure must not stand in the way of immigration into the labor market,” the paper says.
“Across Germany, a lack of skilled workers is the greatest risk for good economic development”
The Liberals are also striving to make the opportunities for immigration to Germany better known around the world. “Immigration authorities and visa offices in embassies in particular are required to see themselves everywhere as figureheads for recruiting bright minds.” is”.
From the point of view of the FDP, this includes that people who come to Germany also have an “attractive prospect of being naturalized”. The reform of the citizenship law should therefore be “quickly tackled”.
Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) also sees a need for action. “Across Germany, a lack of skilled workers is the greatest risk for good economic development,” Woidke told the Handelsblatt. In the East, the pressure on the skilled labor market is “immensely great” compared to the 1990s. At that time, skilled workers were there, but there were no jobs. Today it is exactly the opposite. Therefore, the recruitment of skilled workers is “crucial for the further development prospects of our country”.
Woidke spoke out in favor of making it easier for workers to immigrate to Germany. “If you have a permanent employer and can earn your own living, it should be easier to immigrate to Germany,” said the SPD politician. “Then there should first be a residence permit without bureaucracy, and then naturalization should also be possible later.”
Woidke described the current immigration law as “no longer up-to-date”. However, the federal government is currently working on improving the right of residence in order to enable well-integrated tolerated foreigners to have the right to stay. “I welcome these plans, from which Brandenburg will also benefit,” said the head of government.
In particular, Woidke complained about a lack of skilled workers in the MINT professions – i.e. in the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology. Brandenburg was “strongly affected,” he said. He expressed the expectation that schools would be given much more information about which skilled trades were in demand. “More needs to happen.” Skilled workers are the basis of economic development.
But it is also important to look for skilled workers abroad in a more targeted manner. Brandenburg is becoming more and more international in this regard. Employees from 50 different nations work at Tesla in Grünheide, and more than 60 nations work at Rolls-Royce in Dahlewitz, explained Woidke. “When we talk about further development, we will continue to need people from all over the world to come here and shape this country for the future together with us.” But this also requires “a culture of welcome and open-mindedness,” emphasized the head of government.
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