Inserts:

00:03 Report / Marta Grudzinska 
00:17 Giulia Mennillo, Academy for Political Education 
00:56 Giulia Mennillo, Academy for Political Education
01:24 Dirk Werner, German Economic Institute 
01:55 Dirk Werner, German Economic Institute  
02:22 Dirk Werner, German Economic Institute 
02:52 Giulia Mennillo, Academy for Political Education

Script: 

00:02 
Germans will be voting in a landmark federal election on February 23rd. That poll will pick the parties to steer Europe's biggest economy, which is facing many challenges...

00:16 -00:33 SOT: Giulia Mennillo, Akademie für Politische Bildung 
The lack of skilled workers in Germany is still very, very high. We have an economic downturn in the country and structural challenges. Migration is also one of the answers to address this issue. 
 
00:35  
The numbers are alarming. Germany has a shortage of 500,000 skilled workers. The economy could be more productive if it weren't for the lack of workers. If very job vacancy were filled last year, Germany would have added another 49 billion euros or so to its economy. 

00:52-01:02 SOT: Giulia Mennillo, Academy for Political Akademie für Politische Bildung  

Up to now, Germany hasn't made a mark as a destination for international skilled workers. The proportion of those who leave is relatively high - and that's obviously a big pity. 

01:04  
Germany reformed legislation last year to loosen immigration restrictions for skilled workers. For instance, academic qualifications can be recognized faster. And family reunification is now much easier. 

01:21 –01:29 

SOT: Dirk Werner, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft     

The laws are already in place and they are pretty good. The problem is implementation. And that's why I think once again that ultimately all processes should be as digital as possible. That also helps German companies desperately waiting on skilled workers that they have already interviews and are waiting that they finally come. 

02:31 
Germany has become an attractive destination for higher education - with nearly 470,000 international students. But many leave the country once they have completed their studies. Can Germany do more to keep them? 

01:53-02:08  

SOT Dirk Werner, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft    

We have many foreign students in Germany, but about half of them go back after their studies. So if we offer them jobs here as early as possible, improve language support so that they can learn German, there's potential for Germany to be able to benefit. 

02:10  
It's not just graduates leaving Germany, many skilled workers also do so. Including many in sectors in high demand, such as trades people, care work and IT.  

02:18-02:41 SOT: Dirk Werner, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft   
Every year, we lose around 10 percent of migrants, who go back to their countries of origin. And of course, it's down to integration, on offering interesting work here, and also keeping families together. Increasingly, discrimination is an issue, part of everyday experiences - that a person doesn't feel welcome. Obviously, quite a bit could be done because at the end it's important for Germany's reputation that we remain open.   

02: 
Migration is dividing society...Right-wing parties that want to end migration are gaining popularity. 

02:49-03:14  

SOT: Giulia Mennillo, Akademie für Politische Bildung  
Right now, we need to take a stand and stand up for values, such as multiculturalism, both economically and culturally. For our domestic potential, we still need migration, qualified migration. And we can't get around that. 

03:16 
When it comes to skilled workers, nearly all economists agree: the German economy cannot function wilthout immigration from abroad.  

03:25 End