Germany 'encourages' whilst the UK 'exploits'

The story run by UKTECH over two months ago that Germany is planning to recruit IT specialists from overseas has now been confirmed and it is interesting to compare the two approaches of the respective Governments.

In an article online the BBC reports The German cabinet has approved a controversial plan to offer up to 20,000 five-year visas to computer experts from outside the European Union.

The scheme, put forward by chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, is designed to meet a severe shortage of trained computer specialists in Germany.

It is particularly aimed at people from India and Eastern Europe and has been criticised by the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who say Germans should be trained for the jobs.

The German Government is proposing that applicants must prove they will be paid at least £30,000 a year whilst in Germany.

This compares with the £12,000 a year (reported in UKTECH) that is apparently being paid to UK based immigrant IT specialists.

Dawn Primarolo explained the Government actions in an interview, referring to the IT skill shortage.

This is inflating wage costs and harming the competitiveness of

British industry.

She then went on to say

"To address current demands the Home Secretary is looking at a fast track visa scheme for qualified applicants from eastern Europe, Africa and India."