New immigration law will attract skilled workforce from India: German Minister

The new immigration law of Germany that came into effect a few days ago will be attractive for skilled workforce in India who want to work in Germany, said Martin Dulig, Saxon State Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport.

According to him, the shortage of skilled workforce in Germany is estimated to be four million, including four lakhs in Saxony alone. The new law allows immigrants to bring their families. In Saxony, there are kindergartens for children of skilled women workers and hence the region has a high number of women workers.

There are several prerequisites for the immigrants to integrate with German systems. This includes expediting visas and recognising skill certificates from India.

“In tandem new law, we with have the the changes made to ease conditions to get German citizenship,” he added.

Mr. Dulig, who is leading a 35member delegation to Coimbatore and Chennai for about a week, said German industries are looking at ways to strengthen relationships with industries in Tamil Nadu. Saxony and Tamil Nadu have an industrial set up that is strong in SMEs, mechanical engineering, and automobile sector and can complement each other. India has a young population and German industries are looking for skilled workers, he said about the scope for partnerships.

Saxony is looking for longterm, stable relationship with industries and businesses here and the delegation is looking at deepening the contacts between India and Saxony on a political, economic, and scientific level, he added.

Michaela Kuchler, Consul General of Germany in Chennai, was also present.