German Parliament approves new immigration law to attract skilled workers to country

The German Parliament on Saturday approved a new immigration law designed to attract skilled workers to the country. This comes as the country is suffering from an unprecedented labour shortage that is belabouring the economy. The law was initiated by the governing centre-left coalition of the Social Democrats, the liberal Free Democrats and the Greens. It garnered 388 yes votes, while 234 lawmakers voted against it and 31 abstained.

Meanwhile, a



conservative parliamentary bloc made up of the opposition CDU and its Bavarian CSU sister party voted against the law. They argued that it would ease entry for unskilled labourers. The far-right Alternative for Germany party also voted against it. The law includes a points-based system that lowers entry hurdles for work visa applicants according to their professional qualifications, age and language skills.