Germany's government announced temporary border controls at all of the country's land borders on Monday in what it called an attempt to tackle irregular migration and protect the public from threats such as Islamist extremism.

Germany's government announced temporary border controls at all of the country's land borders on Monday in what it called an attempt to tackle irregular migration and protect the public from threats such as Islamist extremism. The controls will start on Sept. 16 and initially last for six months, the interior ministry said in a statement. "We are strengthening internal security and continuing our hard line against irregular migration," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said. Germany has hardened its stance on migration in recent years, as the government scrambles to retake the initiative after support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged over the issue. Recent deadly knife attacks in which the suspects were asylum seekers have stoked concerns over immigration. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a knife attack in the western city of Solingen that killed three people in August. The AfD earlier this month became the first far-right party since World War Two to win a state election, in Thuringia. Also read: Iran supplied missiles to Russia? After US, EU claims, Moscow issues statement The announcement comes just two weeks ahead of an election in Brandenburg where Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Faeser's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) are fighting to retain control of the government. The imposition of temporary border controls could be another test of European unity. Germany shares its more than 3,700-km-long (2,300 miles) land border with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told Bild newspaper on Monday that his country would not take in any migrants turned away by Germany at the border. "There's no room for manoeuvre there," he said. "It's the law. I have directed the head of the federal police to not allow any returns," he added. Germany last year announced stricter controls on its land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland in response to a sharp increase in first-time asylum requests. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Germany introduces border controls to keep irregular migration in check amid security concerns spike

Germany introduced draft reforms on Wednesday regarding immigration, skills training and promoting immigration from Western Balkan countries to address labour shortages in Europe’s largest economy. Labour Minister Hubertus Heil stated, “securing our skilled labour base is one of Germany’s biggest economic tasks for the coming decades”.

According to the Labour Ministry, the number of job vacancies was at a record high of close to 2 million in 2022. These reforms can be proved beneficial as they will help in removing obstacles for migrant workers, specifically for those who are not from the European Union.&nbsp;

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Finance Minister Christian Lindner said that the law would lay the foundation for a new start in migration policy and that anyone who could contribute to the country’s economic success as a skilled worker is welcome. The draft law proposes to increase the number of workers from countries outside the EU by 60,000 people per year.&nbsp;

The law will offer three pathways for foreign workers to enter the country:

1.&nbsp;The first requires a degree which is recognised in Germany and should be accompanied by an employment contract.

2.&nbsp;The second requires a minimum of two years of experience working in a relevant sector and a degree or vocational training.&nbsp;

3. The third is a new ‘ opportunity card’ for individuals who have the potential to find work, based on a points-based system that considers qualifications, language skills, professional experience, connection to Germany and age.&nbsp;

Earlier a report claimed that by 2035, Germany will be short some 7 million skilled workers. However, migration expert Herbert Bruecker told Reuters that while the draft law contained sensible ideas, it was not far-reaching enough. He said that the requirements of the opportunity card were too complex for a temporary visa to look for work.&nbsp;

The German cabinet has also approved an education law that entitles young people to paid off-the-job training, with the Federal Labour Agency paying up to 67 per cent of the net salary for the duration of the training.&nbsp;

In addition to this, the Cabinet has also decided to extend regulations for job-seekers from Albania, Bosnia-Herzengovina, Kosovo, the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, which were previously expected to expire at the end of the year.&nbsp;

Germany can now recruit up to 50,000 workers annually from these countries as compared to the previous 25,000 workers per year.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

 
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Germany introduced draft reforms on Wednesday regarding immigration, skills training and promoting immigration from Western Balkan countries to address labour shortages in Europe’s largest economy.

Germany introduced draft reforms on Wednesday regarding immigration, skills training and promoting immigration from Western Balkan countries to address labour shortages in Europe’s largest economy. Labour Minister Hubertus Heil stated, “securing our skilled labour base is one of Germany’s biggest economic tasks for the coming decades”. According to the Labour Ministry, the number of job vacancies was at a record high of close to 2 million in 2022. These reforms can be proved beneficial as they will help in removing obstacles for migrant workers, specifically for those who are not from the European Union. Also Read | Former Brazil president Bolsonaro returns to the country after self-imposed exile Finance Minister Christian Lindner said that the law would lay the foundation for a new start in migration policy and that anyone who could contribute to the country’s economic success as a skilled worker is welcome. The draft law proposes to increase the number of workers from countries outside the EU by 60,000 people per year. The law will offer three pathways for foreign workers to enter the country: 1. The first requires a degree which is recognised in Germany and should be accompanied by an employment contract. 2. The second requires a minimum of two years of experience working in a relevant sector and a degree or vocational training. 3. The third is a new ‘ opportunity card’ for individuals who have the potential to find work, based on a points-based system that considers qualifications, language skills, professional experience, connection to Germany and age. Earlier a report claimed that by 2035, Germany will be short some 7 million skilled workers. However, migration expert Herbert Bruecker told Reuters that while the draft law contained sensible ideas, it was not far-reaching enough. He said that the requirements of the opportunity card were too complex for a temporary visa to look for work. The German cabinet has also approved an education law that entitles young people to paid off-the-job training, with the Federal Labour Agency paying up to 67 per cent of the net salary for the duration of the training. In addition to this, the Cabinet has also decided to extend regulations for job-seekers from Albania, Bosnia-Herzengovina, Kosovo, the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, which were previously expected to expire at the end of the year. Germany can now recruit up to 50,000 workers annually from these countries as compared to the previous 25,000 workers per year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Germany to hire 60,000 workers from outside EU as part of new immigration plan. Check details here

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Germany introduces border controls to keep irregular migration in check amid security concerns spike

Germany to hire 60,000 workers from outside EU as part of new immigration plan. Check details here