A delegation from Germany led by the migration commissioner Joachim Stamp traveled to Colombia this week to foster closer cooperation in migration management between the two countries.

A "joint steering group" was established during the visit. German interior minister Nancy Faeser stated that the goal is to reduce irregular migration from Colombia and strengthen legal labor migration.

"We want to consistently enforce the return of people without the right to stay — and on the other hand, we want to attract qualified workers that we urgently need in many sectors of our economy," Faeser explained.

Also read: Germany's search for skilled workers amid xenophobic image

Greater flexibility for foreign workers

According to last year's report from the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), an estimated 1.8 million jobs remain unfilled in the German economy as a whole. The DIHK warned that this skilled labor shortage is threatening vital industries in Germany.

Despite increasingly hostile rhetoric towards immigrants and German citizens with a so-called "migration background," Germany continues to look abroad to fill its labor needs.

As Germany faces high demand for skilled labor across industries, there has also been an increase in flexibility both among companies and on a bureaucratic level. The German parliament recently introduced new legislation to make it easier for immigrants to apply for citizenship and cutting the red tape for skilled workers looking to relocate to Germany.

Under these new rules immigrants will be able to apply for citizenship after five years rather than the previous eight. In addition, skilled workers will no longer have to have their degrees recognized in Germany if they can provide evidence of their academic studies and two years of experience in their country of origin.

Also read: Germany simplifies naturalization process

Seeking young skilled workers

Faeser plans to hold discussions on labor migration in Colombia on Friday, even though the primary focus of her South America trip is combating organized drug crime.

"Colombia has a great potential of young workers who would like to work temporarily or permanently in Germany," stated Stamp. "This presents an excellent opportunity, especially for shortage occupations in Germany, to attract motivated and qualified new employees."

At the same time, efforts will be made to "significantly reduce the number of futile asylum applications from Colombia through concrete measures."

German authorities have recently noted a growing number of asylum seekers from Colombia. In January, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees listed the South American country as the tenth most common country of origin for asylum seekers.

According to the data, 455 people from Colombia applied for asylum in Germany in January. In the entire year 2023, there were 3,337 – nearly 2,000 more than in 2022. Most of the procedures are still pending. Almost all of the applications that have already been decided have been rejected.

A new cooperation agreement will likely provide more accessible avenues for Colombian migrants to live and work in Germany.

Also read: Germany received most asylum applications in 2023 – more than France and Spain combined

Germany seeks greater cooperation on migration

According to the ministry, the delegation trip included several rounds of discussions with various ministries, including the Chamber of Commerce Abroad, the employment administration, and the Goethe Institute in Colombia.

Representatives from the German Federal Ministry of Labor and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development also participated in the trip.

Colombia is not the only country to be approached by Germany in its bid to foster greater cooperation on migration. In December, Faeser signed a migration agreement with Georgia. This also focused on the return of migrants who have received an order to leave, as well as the recruitment of skilled workers from the country.

That was followed in January 2024 by a similar agreement on close cooperation with Morocco. Deals are also planned with Kenya, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Also read: What do Germany's migration partnerships entail?

With AFP