According to the France-Presse agency, in 2004, when another ten, predominantly Eastern European countries joined the European Union, Germany obtained the right to restrict access for foreigners to the labor market until 2011. The agency notes that at present, all European states except Germany and Austria have lifted these restrictions.
Germany, which leads other EU countries in economic development, justifies these measures by the unemployment affecting three million citizens, as well as the threat of dumping on the labor market that it may face due to the proximity of Eastern European states. At the same time, according to the government's decision, farmers will be able to use foreign labor during the harvest season.
Meanwhile, reports RIA Novosti, Germany has announced the adoption of a number of measures to combat the shortage of qualified labor. For this purpose, requirements for qualified foreign workers will be relaxed. In particular, from January 1, 2009, the minimum annual income level for migrants will be reduced from €86,400 to €63,600. Moreover, arrivals from EU countries will no longer have to verify their educational documents, as is currently the case.
The Ministry of Labor also announced the creation of a system to track the needs of enterprises for labor.