Germany Considers How to Draw Qualified Work Force

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet today with top business representatives and German unions to discuss how to attract qualified workers from countries outside the European Union.

While the country is trying to cope with the lack of qualified workers, a law that will make it easier for citizens outside the EU to obtain working visas in Germany must enter into force on 1 March, the AP reports.

The currently applicable agreements for graduate students reach immigrants with professional qualifications and German language knowledge.

Many companies in Germany are urgently seeking qualified workers, despite the economic downturn, Eric Schweitzer, head of the German Chambers Trade Association for the Funke news group, said.

He also said that more than 50 per cent of companies are currently at risk because of the lack of qualified workforce.

The sectors, which include information technology and nurses, particularly complain about lack of workers, broadcast Kosovas.

The “in today's meeting will be discussed in which countries German businesses want to focus and address bureaucratic barriers,” Minister of Labour Hubert Heil told RBB Inforadio.

As an example, he cited the process of recognising professional qualifications, linguistic skills and visa procedures.

Like many other European countries, Germany is trying to achieve a balance between the needs of its labour market, the aging of the local population and concerns about immigration.