The director of Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Hans‑Eckhard Sommer, calls for higher return premiums for Syrians. At present the federal government generally pays 1 000 € per adult. “In my opinion that isn’t enough” Sommer told “Spiegel”, urging the authorities to make voluntary return more financially attractive-far more than before.
At the same time he refutes worries that revoking protection titles for Syrians after the civil war would force highly qualified workers to leave the country. “Every doctor can obtain a skilled‑worker residence permit and remain. The same applies to any other highly skilled occupation. The issue has been that this provision has hardly been used so far” he said.
Sommer also proposes a rule for Syrians who are not highly skilled but are working and earning a living. “I would, within limits, allow such people to stay if they earn a decent wage, contribute to the pension system, and put enough in to live off it in retirement. This would also help the many companies that currently employ them”.
