The German Start-Up Association has urged the government to streamline the administrative procedures for international workers seeking employment in the country. According to Schengen.News, the association is specifically calling for the removal of visa restrictions and a reduction in processing times, which are often significant barriers for migrant workers looking to relocate to Germany.
Magdalena Oehl, a representative of the Start-Up Association, emphasized the need for a more digital, efficient, and straightforward visa system. “The process of issuing visas must be better digitized, faster, and less complicated,” she said.
Foreign workers play a critical role in Germany’s economy, which heavily relies on migrant labor. It is estimated that up to 288,000 migrant workers are needed annually to sustain Germany’s position as Europe’s largest and the world’s sixth-largest economy.
German Start-Ups Express Dissatisfaction with Government’s Approach to Foreign Labor
Many start-up companies in Germany are dissatisfied with the current conditions for hiring foreign workers. According to the German Start-Up Monitor 2024, which surveyed 1,859 start-ups, only 17% of companies expressed satisfaction with the existing rules on hiring from abroad. The majority, in contrast, were unhappy with the current regulations.
The lack of efforts to make Germany more welcoming to migrants could damage the country’s reputation, potentially branding it as “unfriendly” toward foreign workers. Some migrants in Germany have already reported experiencing frequent racism.
A Syrian refugee who has lived in Germany since 2016 shared his experience of discrimination. Despite earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Germany and becoming an IT specialist, he chose to move to Switzerland over staying in Germany. “I gave my very best here in order to be considered an equal, but I felt discrimination and rejection,” he said. “I want to be treated as an equal, but I’m not going to beg for it.”
German Government Takes Steps to Attract Foreign Workers
In response to these concerns, Germany’s SPD-FDP-Greens coalition has introduced several measures aimed at attracting foreign workers. Over the past three years, the coalition has rolled out the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), designed to ease the process of integrating into the German labor market.
To qualify for the Chancenkarte, applicants need to meet a few basic requirements, such as proficiency in German or English, a recognized qualification, and proof of financial security.
Additionally, Germany has signed agreements with India to bring skilled workers to the country, which are intended to provide mutual benefits for both India and the German job market.
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