Many companies in Germany are urgently looking for skilled workers. The government warns that the problem could grow – with serious consequences.
According to the federal government, the lack of millions of workers and skilled workers threatens to become the main brake on growth in Germany. There is a growing need to “get all people who want to work in the country into work and into training,” said Economics Minister Robert Habeck at a government specialist congress in Berlin.
“In the future, this will be the decisive question as to whether Germany is growing and whether prosperity in the country can increase or be maintained.” Hundreds of thousands of jobs and training positions are already open. “You have to be blind if you don’t see that there will be more in the future,” said the Green politician.
Labor Minister Heil: “We work against the clock”
Habeck’s cabinet colleague Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) warns: “If we don’t take care of it now, the problem of labor and skilled workers shortages will become the main brake on growth in Germany.” Heil named stable energy supply, acceleration of planning and securing the workforce and skilled labor base as the most important steps to ensure that the German economy remains strong despite the weakening global economy. “Actually, despite all the talk, we are a strong country, but we need an update,” said Heil. When it comes to the question of securing skilled workers, the following applies: “We work against the clock.”
Habeck warned, referring to the latest annual economic report: “The potential for growth is decreasing.” In the 1980s, the so-called potential growth, i.e. the growth opportunities under optimal conditions, was 2 percent. Habeck: “Now we’re going to 0.5 – why? We’re missing the hands and the heads.”
Source: Stern
