Oposition Party CDU/CSU Union accuses traffic* light goverment to set a wrong agenda in skilled labour politics.
The CDU/CSU criticizes the traffic lights* for failing to recognize the real challenges facing the immigration of skilled workers from abroad. „Instead of creating new bureaucracy, the traffic lights* should, for example, digitize and speed up visa and recognition procedures,“ CDU labor market expert Ottilie Klein told RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland. In addition, the foreigners authorities need more staff. The acquisition of German language skills abroad must also be simplified, the member of the Bundestag demanded. These are „the real hurdles to the immigration of skilled workers“.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (both SPD) are currently traveling to Canada to learn about immigration law there. The federal government wants to attract more workers from abroad, among other things, with an opportunity card based on a points system. Canada is considered a model for this. When applying for a work visa via the points system, Canada takes into account not only education but also, for example, age, language skills and work experience.
Unlike in Canada, the opportunity card in Germany does not offer any added value, CDU interior politician Alexander Throm criticized to the dpa news agency.
Canada has an oversupply of qualified applicants, he said. The points system serves to select the best candidates. In Germany, on the other hand, there is an undersupply. The deputy head of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Hermann Gröhe, expressed a similar view. „The points system only works when there is an oversupply of people willing to immigrate,“ Gröhe told the Rheinische Post newspaper. Germany, on the other hand, must become more attractive to migrant workers, he added. „We need to create a climate in Germany in which those who need us and those we need feel welcome,“ Gröhe said, without making clear exactly how he envisioned this happening.
Starting this Monday, Federal Minister of the Interior Faeser and Labor Minister Heil plan to meet with government representatives, companies and experts in Canada to get ideas for the planned reform of the Skilled Worker Immigration Act, which is to be approved by the cabinet soon.
*traffic light=synonym of the colours of the different gov. parties
Source: Zeit Online, AFP: – 23.03.2023: Zeit Online

What are the biggest differences in migration policy between Oposition and Govmerment Party?
It is difficult to generalize the migration policies of opposition and government parties as they can vary significantly depending on the country and the specific parties involved.
However, here are some possible differences that can exist:
- Border Control: Opposition parties may advocate for stricter border controls and tougher enforcement measures to prevent unauthorized migration. In contrast, government parties may focus more on creating legal pathways for migration and improving the processing of asylum claims.
- Refugee Resettlement: Opposition parties may be less willing to accept refugees and may advocate for reduced refugee resettlement quotas or stricter eligibility criteria. Government parties may place a greater emphasis on humanitarian values and be more open to accepting refugees.
- Integration Policy: Opposition parties may prioritize assimilation and expect immigrants to adopt the language and cultural norms of the host country. Government parties may place a greater emphasis on integration and support measures to help immigrants adjust to their new environment.
- Family Reunification: Opposition parties may be less supportive of family reunification policies, which allow family members of immigrants to join them in the host country. Government parties may view family reunification as an important aspect of family unity and support such policies.
It is important to note that these are generalizations and there can be significant variations in the migration policies of opposition and government parties depending on the country and the specific parties involved. Moreover, migration policies can be influenced by many factors, including economic considerations, demographic trends, and social values.