Germany, facing a labor shortage amid negative population growth, wants to hire skilled workers from Bangladesh.

Europe’s largest economy needs at least four million foreign workers a year in various sectors, including transport, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, engineering and IT, according to the The country’s Federal Employment Agency.

To attract skilled workers, Germany has further streamlined its immigration procedures, starting June 1, 2024.

The world’s third-largest economy is placing particular emphasis on South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, to address its labor shortages by promoting German courses across the region.

Earlier this month, several German government officials told the Business Standard that Bangladesh was one of the priority countries in South Asia for hiring skilled workers. However, they noted that there is currently no specific quota for the South Asian country.

On Friday, Germany agreed to increase the annual number of visas granted to skilled Indian workers to 90,000, from 20,000, during Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to New Delhi, DW reports. Two years ago, India and Germany signed a migration agreement to facilitate greater mobility of professionals and students.

However, Bangladesh has not entered into such an agreement with Germany.

“On behalf of the Bangladesh Embassy, ​​we have contacted Germany to reach an agreement, but no progress has been made in this regard. There is no specific quota for us, as there is no There is no formal agreement,” said Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, the prime minister. former Bangladeshi ambassador to Germany, whose term ended last month.

“As it is not mandatory to have an agreement to send workers, our Ministry of Expatriate Welfare can take initiatives based on demand. In this case, it must be wary of agencies and brokers private,” he added.

A project called Pre-Integration and Transition Management, led by the Goethe Institute in New Delhi, aims to facilitate regular migration journeys. This project will expand its efforts to Bangladesh starting next year.

“The pre-integration and transition management project started in India last year and now we are starting to offer our online offerings to anyone who wants to move from Bangladesh to Germany in particular,” also said Sonali Sahgal, project coordinator at the Goethe-Institut in India. like Bangladesh, told The Business Standard.

“But that said, they can always contact the Goethe-Institut in Dhaka and will be able to write about training and information.”

The project supports people who wish to emigrate permanently to Germany for professional or personal reasons by preparing them for everyday life and the world of work. It offers a range of services to help them in their home country before departure and during their first days in Germany. In the long term, the aim is to help migrants integrate into German society.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 22,000 Bangladeshis live in Germany. However, the German Ministry of Labor and Social Protection reports that around 12,000 Bangladeshi workers benefit from insurance coverage. Of these, the largest proportion – 30% – work in the hospitality sector, while the rest are employed in the commerce, engineering and information and communication sectors.

Germany is currently facing shortages in more than 70 professions, according to a recent report from the European Labor Authority.

High-demand skilled positions include nurses, machine engineers, IT professionals, automotive engineers, technicians, drivers and construction engineers.

To access opportunities in the healthcare, IT and engineering sectors, Shahidul Islam Kamrul, a Bangladeshi researcher at Freie Universität Berlin, told TBS: “Bangladeshis can first improve their German skills , as many employers require a master’s degree. Applying for a jobseeker visa allows them to seek employment while remaining in Germany. Many may also explore apprenticeship pathways (Ausbildung), which combine practical training and education.

“Recognition of qualifications by official German bodies can further ease the transition. Finally, networking and attending job fairs can help them connect with potential employers,” he added.

Sharmin Afroz Shumi, president of recruitment agency Infinity HCM, told TBS: “Over the past year, we have observed that without German proficiency, job seekers receive limited responses from the from employers. Knowing German up to B2 level greatly facilitates recruitment. secure roles such as nursing or caregiving.

She added: “Once they know the language, our agency guides them through the application process, but all other steps are up to the job seekers.”

Simplifying immigration for skilled workers

The Labor Immigration Act was reformed in 2023, with the first new regulations coming into force in November. This change was driven by the German economy’s need for skilled foreign workers.

University graduates and those with professional qualifications will benefit from the many measures by which the reformed law simplifies immigration to the European country.

For example, the minimum wage requirements for the so-called EU Blue Card have been lowered to allow more people to apply for it. The Blue Card is a residence permit in Germany granted for a maximum period of four years or for the duration of the holder’s employment contract.

Under the amended law, university graduates and those with professional training are considered skilled workers. However, this does not necessarily mean that they will be limited to practicing their specific profession in Germany. Provided they have the appropriate qualifications, they can also take on different jobs.

Additionally, regulations are in place for people wishing to pursue vocational training or seek employment in Germany, although they must meet specific criteria.

Regarding the law change, Labor Minister Hubertus Heil said: “There are currently almost 1.7 million vacancies in Germany. This means there is already a labor shortage, a gap that will only widen in the future. A modern country of immigration opens doors and hearts.”