New law would make it easier for Polish workers to find a job in Germany

German Interior Minister Otto Schily on Friday presented the draft of a new law on immigration, under which the country would open its borders to a controlled inflow of immigrants, with preference given to those from European Union (EU) candidate countries. For the past 30 years it has not been possible for foreigners to settle legally in Germany, unless an employer was unable to find suitable workers in Germany or other EU countries. However, with the demographics stacked heavily in favor of bringing new workers in, the government has drafted the new law, the first legal act providing comprehensive regulation for immigration into the country. According to the draft, special preference will be given to selected professional groups, such as engineers, IT experts and scientists. Other prospective immigrants will be allowed in based on a scoring system, with points awarded for their education, knowledge of German, age and country of origin. Of the latter, those from EU candidate countries, including Poland, will be among the most welcome. (Rzeczpospolita, Aug. 4-5, p. A4; Gazeta Wyborcza, Aug. 4-5, p. 8) T.J.