Government approves plan to make Germany more attractive for skilled immigrants

As a new labour migration law is set to enter into force, the federal government has approved an integration plan under which prospective migrants will be offered language lessons and information about Germany in their home countries.

The federal government wants to prepare potential migrants for life in Germany already in their home countries. This is according to the National Integration Action Plan, which the cabinet approved last week.

“We want to set the course for integration even before immigration,” said Federal Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration, Annette Widmann-Mauz, a member of the CDU.

The action plan consists of several measures dealing with topics such as initial integration and inclusion. More than 300 federal, state, local, social and civil society actors are involved in the project, including around 75 migrant organisations. The plan is coordinated by Ms Widmann-Mauz, who is also a member of the federal parliament, Bundestag.

“If necessary, the government would in future offer immigrants a standard pre-integration programme in their countries of origin or transit,” according to the plan.

Widmann-Mauz pointed out that the new approach should also support the Skilled Labour Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz), which is due to come into force on 1 March.

Moreover, the plan should position Germany favourably in the global competition for qualified specialists “as an attractive country of immigration”.

Giving a realistic picture of life in Germany would prevent prospective migrants from entertaining false expectations of life in country, Widmann-Mauz added.

The new law is to tackle labour shortages in Germany by making the country attractive for skilled workers from non-EU countries.

Felix Dappah