The Hindu : International : Germany makes immigration easier for skilled workers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 10, 2004

International

International

Germany makes immigration easier for skilled workers

BERLIN, JULY 9. An immigration bill designed to make it easier for skilled workers to enter Germany while tightening measures against suspected terrorists passed its final legislative hurdle on Friday with approval by Parliament's upper house.

Four years in the works, the bill was a compromise between the Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Centre-left coalition and the conservative Opposition that backers say balances the interest in attracting highly qualified workers, terrorism fears and civil rights.

The Interior Minister, Otto Schily, greeted its approval as ``a great step.'' Discussions on the law began in 2000 when Mr. Schroeder proposed a ``green card'' system, meant to help German technology companies cope with a shortfall of qualified workers by making it easier for trained professionals to obtain residence permits.

In an effort to make new arrivals integrate into society, the law foresees mandatory Government-funded German language and civics courses, and threatens those who refuse to take them with cuts in social welfare benefits.

The law, which will go into effect on January 1, 2005, also makes it easier to deport ``hate preachers'' — wording aimed at Islamic extremists operating in Germany. — AP

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