Inside Germany: The mixed messages confusing foreign workers and extreme heat on its way
'Don't let fear deter you'
That's what Dr. Andreas Philippi, Lower Saxony's Minister for Labour and Integration, wanted to tell everyone out there who's thinking about moving to Germany to study or work but might have been put off by the country's recent political shift to the right.
In an interview with The Local's Imogen Goodman, the state minister made it clear that he understands the value of immigration and how badly Germany's workforce and economy need a steady flow of incoming skilled workers.
In his home state of Lower Saxony, Philippi cited one collaborative push to encourage that kind of immigration - a project with the goal of recruiting young people from Columbia (where unemployment is high) and bringing them to Germany to receive training for jobs in the healthcare and life science industries.
But he worried that political rhetoric that seems more focused on "spreading fear" than encouraging unity was poisoning Germany's ability to maintain its status as an attractive country for young, skilled workers around the world.
INTERVIEW:
'Don't let fear deter you from new life in Germany,' minister urges
And he's not the only one: speaking with The Local about Germany's decision
to end the three-year fast-track path to citizenship
, Dr. Herbert Brücker, at the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), noted that not just asylum seekers but all kinds of immigrants to Germany (including skilled workers) "mention the respect for human rights, respect for the rule of law, and a welcoming culture" among their top reasons for coming.
He concluded that 'push-backs' of migrants at the German border and the hostile rhetoric toward foreigners used by some politicians could lead to a reduction in skilled labour migration to the country.
In other words, the conservative party's "migration turnaround" (to borrow the words of the Interior Minister) may end up turning around more immigrants than they were aiming for.
So you want to be a freelancer?
Opting out of regular employment and going out on your own is always a bold decision, but perhaps even more so in a country known for its high taxes, complicated regulations and nearly impossible bureaucracy.
Freelance journalist Ido Vock walked us through
the basic 'hard truths'
freelancers in Germany need to know, including tips on getting a freelance visa, preparing for taxes, paying health insurance, and speaking enough German to land local clients.
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Of course living in a big international city like Berlin or Munich can be a plus, at least initially, for finding opportunities and making connections. But these cities also come with the significant drawback of having very expensive rents - not to mention virtually no available housing.
It's got it's perks, but going freelance is no cake walk, that's for sure.
If you have decided to take the plunge, however, we can offer at least a bit of advice on putting your next invoice together:
here's everything you should include
.
The sun rises on the Kronsberg behind a wind turbine. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Julian Stratenschulte
Hot days ahead
After a warm and very dry start to the year, recent weeks have been pretty cool with the added thrill of occasional storms scattered around the country.
But parts of Germany are expected to see their first heatwave of the season this weekend (defined as three or more days of 30C temperatures in a row), with temperatures elsewhere in the upper 20s and mostly sunny weather.
If you're not too bothered by the heat, the first hot summer weekends can make for enjoyable days filled with trips to the local pool, river or lake, followed by Aperol spritz flavoured sundowners on café patios.
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We recommend making the most of the warmth and sunshine now, then skipping town for a cooler locale later in the summer when the heat waves tend to hit a bit harder.
READ ALSO:
How likely are extreme heatwaves in Germany this summer?
If you're looking for 'coolcation' vacation ideas for later in the summer, we've got you covered. Check out our selection of great options in
North Rhine-Westphalia
, as well as some
beyond Germany's borders
, but still just a train ride away.
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