Germany’s immigration law may not fill labour gaps

Subject

Germany’s immigration law.

Significance

The German parliament passed a package containing seven laws on asylum, deportations and immigration on June 7. They are intended to speed up deportations of failed asylum seekers while making it easier for skilled workers to come to Germany, and well-integrated, employed asylum seekers to stay.

Impacts

• More failed asylum seekers fearing detention and deportation may go underground.
• Automation and digitisation could lower demand for labour in the long term, alleviating some skills shortages.
• Even if the far-right AfD emerges as the strongest party in upcoming state elections, it will not form part of a national coalition.
• Germany faces competition from the United Kingdom, whose post-Brexit immigration policy aims to prioritise skilled non-European workers.