German parliament approves immigration law in bid to attract skilled workers
The Hindu
The German parliament approved a new immigration law designed to attract skilled workers to the country.
The German parliament on Friday approved a new immigration law designed to attract skilled workers to the country, which is suffering from an unprecedented labour shortage that is belabouring the economy.
The law - championed by the governing centre-left SPD, the liberal FDP and the Greens - garnered 388 yes votes, while 234 lawmakers voted against and 31 abstained.
A conservative parliamentary bloc made up of the opposition CDU and its Bavarian CSU sister party voted against the law, arguing that it would ease entry for unskilled labourers.
The far-right AfD party also voted against.
The law includes a points-based system that lowers entry hurdles for applicants according to their professional qualifications, age and language skills.
Earlier this year, the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) said that more than half of Germany's companies were struggling to fill vacancies due to a lack of skilled workers.
The proportion of companies facing difficulties hiring was at its highest ever level, the DIHK found in its survey of 22,000 companies, with 53% reporting shortages.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.