Why skilled workers come to Germany and then leave again (dw.com)

Article summary

Germany has been struggling to retain skilled workers who immigrate to the country, with many leaving due to factors such as bureaucracy, housing, and language acquisition. A survey by the Institute for Employment Research found that emigration is not driven by a single factor, but rather a combination of family-related reasons, experiences of discrimination, and other issues. The researchers suggest that public policy can influence many of these factors, and that supporting German-language instruction in migrants' countries of origin could help improve retention rates. The German government is introducing new initiatives, such as a 'Work and Stay' agency, to address these issues.

Main themes

• Skilled worker retention
• Immigration policy
• Bureaucracy and administration
• Language acquisition
• Discrimination and racism
• Cultural integration

What commenters say

• Germany's treatment of migrant workers is criticized as discriminatory and racist, with some arguing that the country has a 'world-class' problem with racism.
• The country's bureaucracy and administrative processes are seen as a major obstacle to integration and retention of skilled workers.
• Some commenters argue that immigrants have a responsibility to adapt to German culture and language, while others believe that the onus is on the host country to provide support and accommodation.
• There are differing opinions on the extent to which Germany's issues with immigration are unique or comparable to other countries, with some arguing that the country is not alone in struggling with these problems.
• The role of economic and cultural factors, such as the preference for doing business with other Germans, is also seen as a contributing factor to the difficulties faced by immigrant workers.
• Some commenters suggest that the concept of 'soft bigotry of low expectations' may be relevant to the discussion, where certain groups are not expected to integrate or succeed, and are therefore not given the same opportunities.
• There are also arguments that no country is 'perfect' in terms of its treatment of immigrants, and that all countries have some level of self-selecting and internal favoritism.
• The personal experiences of commenters, including feelings of being unwelcome or discriminated against, are also shared and discussed.