German parliament has approved a new immigration law that would attract more skilled workers to Europe’s biggest economy and help address labor shortages in a growing number of professions.
Lawmakers on Friday voted 388-234 in favor of the legislation, with 31 abstentions.
The law includes point based system that takes into account professional experience, age, language skills and other factors.
The new law will ease entry rules for information technology specialists who lack university degrees but have other qualifications.
Highly skilled workers, who can support their families financially will be allowed to bring them to Germany.
Asylum seekers who arrived before March 29 and have both qualifications and a job offer can get a residence permit as a professional if they withdraw their asylum applications — eliminating the need to leave the country and apply anew for a work permit.
According to Reuters, 22,000 companies are facing difficulties hiring in Germany with 53% reporting shortages.
Experts say the country needs about 400,000 skilled immigrants each year as its aging workforce shrinks.
The national labor agency said that bus drivers, service jobs in hotels and restaurants and jobs in metalwork were among those experiencing shortages.
Other professions where Germany is struggling to fill jobs are in nursing care, child care, the construction industry and automotive technology, along with truck drivers, architects, pharmacists and information technology specialists.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
