Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Hubertus Heil, right, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of the Federal Employment Agency Andrea Nahles, center, and Regional Director of the Federal Employment Agency Daniel Terzenbach provide information at the Federal Press Conference about planned measures for labor market integration, in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday Oct. 18, 2023. The German government has announced a drive to get more Ukrainian and other refugees into jobs now that many have a usable knowledge of the German language. (Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP)
The German government on Wednesday announced a drive to get more Ukrainian and other refugees into jobs now that many have a usable knowledge of the German language.
The government is trying to address both a shortage of skilled labor and concerns about high levels of migration. Germany has taken in more than 1 million Ukrainians since Russia’s invasion last year, and also is seeing large numbers of refugees and migrants from elsewhere.
Unlike others who arrive, Ukrainians immediately receive residency status in Germany and the 26 other European Union countries. Labor Minister Hubertus Heil said 132,000 Ukrainians already have found jobs.
Counting Ukrainians and others who have recently completed or will soon complete integration courses, which include language learning, there is “a potential for our labor market of about 400,000 people” who are currently receiving benefits and already speak German, he added.
“It’s also clear that we expect them to make efforts and offers must be accepted,” Heil said, noting that jobless benefits can be reduced if people refuse to take work. He said he also wants to get businesses involved and plans a meeting with employers’ organizations and others on Nov. 20.
The government also aims to speed up the recognition of foreign job qualifications. It is appointing a senior official at the Federal Labor Agency, Daniel Terzenbach, to oversee the effort as a “special envoy” for integrating refugees into the labor market.
Heil said the message to refugees with a long-term prospect of staying in Germany is that “now it’s time to get to work,” with help from authorities.
