German businesses and industry associations are voicing concerns about a potential labor shortage in low-skilled positions, even as the number of refugees entering the country decreases. They are advocating for easing restrictions on labor migration to address the growing skills gap.
Thomas Ogilvie, Chief Personnel Officer at Deutsche Post, told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that encouraging targeted labor migration, specifically for roles often considered low-skilled, is now critical. He emphasized that an “open and pragmatic immigration policy” will be essential to successfully navigate future challenges in the German labor market, calling for a streamlined process with minimal bureaucratic obstacles.
The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) echoed this sentiment. Sandra Warden, Dehoga’s managing director, noted that the hospitality sector has historically provided opportunities for many refugees. She stressed the importance of continuing to promote labor migration and cautioned against focusing solely on highly skilled workers. Warden argued that companies offering proper employment contracts should be able to facilitate access for foreign workers, asserting that current regulations, particularly those concerning individuals from the Western Balkans, are inadequate.
Deutsche Bahn also expressed support for simplified procedures. A spokesperson stated that every operational role filled is vital and that immigration is viewed as part of the solution. The company underscored the need for collaboration between government, employment agencies and labor unions to clarify and further simplify the framework conditions.
For the past decade, sectors like hospitality, package delivery and transportation have been significant employers of refugees. Currently, the labor participation rate among male refugees arriving in 2015 and 2016 is higher than the national average. While the potential for readily available labor among recently arrived Ukrainian refugees is considered more limited, largely due to higher education levels, significant staffing shortages have emerged, particularly following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
