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Immigration in Germany - a sad story

May 10, 2007 on 12:11 am by Thomas | In Politics |

Many would agree to the statememt that Germany is a country of self-moaning and self-critizism. Especially from the outside this often seems exaggerated and unfounded. But the real problem is not the underestimation of our own strength but it is: dangerous self reference. This counts especially for the inability to face questions of immigration which are key to solving problems like demographic change, innovation and globalization. These questions are simply not adressed by any party, politican or lobby group.

Skilled workers are scarce

The German job market is growing again and skilled workers are scarce. Yet, no change in regulations, to work in Germany as a non-EU citizen (which does not even count for Eastern European countries who joined the Union in 2005) “even skilled workers will be granted work permits only in exceptional cases“. Some employers call for a change but there is a strange coalition of xenophobic rightwing conservatives and conservative leftist labour unions to prevent that.

Deadlocked in seperated powers

Moreover, like in education, German law gives the states (”Länder”) the responsibilty for executing immgration law. This way of separating power results in a deadlock and in political games between the differing ruling parties. “Due to this constitutional separation of powers, it is a good idea to contact your local foreigners authority if you have specific questions.” Well, from an outside view, e.g. you are sitting in an internetcafé in, let’s say, Mogadishu: who shall that be?

While waiting for being granted asylum don’t think you can work, even if you are skilled. People living here for years, who went to skool or even university - still, no permit. On the contrary, you would have to live here in constant fear of being deported suddenly. Even people who are perfectly integrated will have to leave - like refugees from Iraq who, since the Saddam regime is out of power, have officially lost the argument of being politically persecuted.

Educated first, thrown out later

German universities are full of people from all over the world which creates a vibrant and creative atmosphere of great cultural exchange. But once they finished their studies and set to be sucked up by the growing economy, they are sent away. Educated by the country and deported in the end - it is not only a cruel act but simply the greatest waste of potential.

Conclusion

While Germany’s population is shrinking, the economy is growing and for a few years there has been no immigration at all to Germany, on the contrary: More people left than came. It is arrogant and/or stupid to think a country, or a culture, and especially a national econmy would be able to solve all problems independently, in this case an economy which is interlinked and twined to global exchange on level reached like few others.

But I am not only talking about the engineers, the scientists, the investors or the computer specialists. I am talking about nurses, carers for the elderly, servive people in shops and cafés. There are people needed in some many jobs hardly anybody wants to do.

Wake up! Face the problem! Start a public discourse! And if you want, do it here. But start TALKING about it. We need a modern immigration law who let’s skilled and motivated people come here and doesn’t throw people out who are integrated parts of society.

4 Comments »

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This is an interesting point of view. However, I don’t agree with it at all.

You seem to have pretty little respect for what Germany can do. You seem to imply that most of Germany’s problems can be solved by simply letting foreigners do the job.

Come-on, this is so backward. This is a 1950’s and 1960’s point of view when lots of people from Turkey, Greece, Italy and elsewhere were lured to come to Germany to do the jobs that Germans were not willing to do.

We should behave in a more modern way now. Germany should welcome foreign skills, and be friendly to her guests, but first and foremost, we should be more proud of what we are able to to ourselves, and not keep crying for help from others like babies.

Comment by Eberhard — 10/5/2007 #
I don’t think Thomas outlined a backward looking perspective neither did he only focus on the economic problems. I agree that a proper, fair, human and economically useful immigration concept is absolutely necessary. But I agree with you in this point:

“We should behave in a more modern way now. Germany should welcome foreign skills, and be friendly to her guests, but first and foremost, we should be more proud of what we are able to to ourselves”

Still, it makes me also angry that is is exactly NOT what’s happening but rather the opposite.

Comment by Dirk Stüber — 10/5/2007 #
Thomas,
not too long ago I heard about an initiative in berlin helping out non-german entrepreneurs in the whole usual business-plan-writing-yadayada way but even more to get all the bureaucratic crap done. (and to warn them about how much crap that really is!)

heard about it from an italian-canadian couple who just opened a very recommendable café/bar in prenzlauer berg. after more than a year of running for all kinds of permissions, (and of almost running out of savings) so you get the picture.

I´ll be back here after fetching the links to it all!

Comment by Andreas Wagner — 10/5/2007 #
Ja, das war eher das was ich im Kopf hatte, weniger das was mir Herr Eberhard unterstellt.

Comment by Thomas — 11/5/2007 #