Germany Closing Up With New, Toughened Immigration Rules

[george]

Germany closing up with new, toughened immigration rules

BANGKOK: -- Peter Klaus is visibly upset when the issue of immigration comes up. The vice-president of a German paper company was huffing and puffing as he sipped his Bavarian beer after a gigantic meal.

"Turks are lazy. You see. They came here. They don't work, just make babies and took the money from the government," said Klaus.

"I don't know about Thais, but Thai restaurants and massage parlours are growing like mushrooms," said Klaus.

Klaus's opinion reflects a growing concern among the general public in Germany that something has to be done, although not all agree on the solution.

A quick glance through Frankfurt, or any other major Germany city, reveals that immigrants are indeed making their mark. Thai restaurants and kebab stands dot these cities, while white-collar Turks are making their way up the ladder and becoming an integral part of the German workforce.

The first wave of immigrants, known here as "guest workers", came to Germany in the 1960s. Doors were opened to people from Italy, Yugoslavia, Turkey and some Arab countries, as Germany's bustling economy of the 1960s was experiencing a labour shortage. It was generally assumed that they would return to their home countries, but obviously many didn't.

In the late 1970s, Germany closed its doors on these "guest workers". But immigration continued through family reunions and marriages, as well as those entering the country as asylum seekers and refugees. This later wave of immigrants comprised mainly Turks, who constitute the largest minority in Germany (1.73 million as of December 2006). They have tended to keep to themselves and, like other ethnic groups, many of them form their own enclaves and keep to their own circles. Their sheer size makes the Germans nervous.

Many immigrants, particularly the female ones, continue to remain in their comfort zones and are reluctant to learn German and integrate into German society.

Many do not work and instead receive a monthly allowance from the state-funding programme for jobless people. Those who have kids also get a child allowance, "Kindergeld", to help raise their children. Many Germans say their presence is taking its toll on their tax bills. The debate is on and the government is facing growing pressure to do something about it.

Numerous measures have been implemented to persuade immigrants to return to their home countries or to make it harder for them to come over in the first place. It is now virtually impossible for non-Europeans to come and work in Germany.

For example, foreign graduates can only immigrate to Germany if they earn an annual salary of ค85,500 (Bt4.3 million), which is generally more than what most German managing directors make. Last year, fewer than 500 foreign specialists qualified under this rule. Obtaining a travel visa to Germany is also notably very difficult.

Nowadays, it is as if the only possible way for non-EU citizens to live in Germany is to tie the knot with a German.

For those immigrants who are already living in the country, several procedures have been introduced aimed at integration. For example, migrants are encouraged to attend an "Integration Course", which consists of 600 hours of German language, and a 30-hour "Orientation Course" on Germany's history, politics and culture. They also need to pass the "Zertifikat Deutsch", a German language test, should they wish to obtain German citizenship.

And, as of October last year, the spouses of Germans must pass the "Start Deutsch 1" - a basic German-language comprehension test - before they are given family-reunion visas.

But while ethnic Turks usually come to mind when one speaks of immigration in Germany, Thais in the country and those wanting to come here feel the pinch.

Thousands of Thai women marry Germans and migrate to Germany each year. Currently there are about 52,000 Thai citizens residing in Germany, according to Germany's Statistics Authority. That number could increase to 100,000 when those living here illegally or those who have already obtained German citizenship are taken into account, according to the Thai Ambassador to Germany, Sorayouth Prompoj.

According to a Frankfurt-based NGO worker helping Thai women, the stricter policies have put a big dent in the number of Thai women relocating to Germany.

"The number of Thai women migrating to Germany has reduced to only a third of the same period of last year," he said.

He added that even though the initial language test is relatively easy, for many Thais with zero command of English studying German - seen as a more difficult language - could be a big burden.

There is also a concern that Germany's stricter immigration policy could jeopardise the country's standing in the international community in the area of human rights.

"Partners should be allowed to reunite without questions. The government should not intervene in family affairs," said the NGO worker, who asked to remain anonymous.

But not everyone agrees. Sumanee, a Thai who is married to a German, thinks the programme is actually beneficial for the Thais themselves. "It really helps when you speak the language. You adapt to the new environment much faster."

As much as Germany is trying to reduce its number of immigrants, another big loophole has opened in the name of the greater European Union.

Since December 21 of last year, nine new EU countries (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) joined the border-control-free "Schengen" group, which had previously consisted of 15 countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden).

That means international travellers with a valid Schengen visa are now able to enjoy their trips throughout these 25 countries without having to flash their passport.

As much as this means increased convenience for people travelling within the EU, it also has meant new opportunities for human traffickers, particularly networks dealing in women for prostitution.

Kittasak Lorpatimagorn, Thailand's Consul in Frankfurt, said he has seen some changes in recent years in the way the trafficking rings operate.

"Because of Germany's strictness about issuing visas, these rings have developed a bypass - they apply for visas through other countries that aren't as strict, such as Greece, Norway, Spain and Italy."

He cited a case in April of last year in which German police rescued three Thai women from a human-trafficking network. The trio entered Europe via Greece and then flew to Germany. They were kept in a dungeon in a small town for 10 days with barely anything to eat. Had they not been found, they would likely have ended up as sex slaves.

In spite of the uncertainties and the possibility of being lured and duped into the flesh trade, Suvadee, who asked that her last name not be used, thinks it's worth the risk.

"I got a fourth-grade education and I make about Bt8,000 in Thailand. How am I going to feed my parents and daughter with that?" she asked.

"Here in Germany I work hard and I earn enough to provide for my entire family," Suvadee said.

--The Nation 2008-05-24