Migration, Labour and Social Affairs
Please find here information about the German labour market and social affairs.
The German Labour Market
Germany has a strong and innovative economy with a highly skilled workforce. Over 40 million persons are employed. One key feature of the labour market is the principle of collective bargaining between the social partners enshrined in the constitution.
Social security system in Germany
By constitution „the Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic and social federal state“. The German social security system is one of the most advanced in the world. It supports businesses and industry and creates opportunities for employment and participation.
The different pillars of social security have evolved for decades and have to be permanently monitored and – where necessary – adjusted to meet the challenges of an ageing population. The social safety net has, among other factors, contributed to stability, innovation, productivity and economic growth.
Integration
Germany´s population is around 82 million persons, of which around one in five has a migrational background. Thus, organizing integration successfully is a big and ongoing challenge for society as a whole. In July 2006, the First Integration Summit - hosted by Chancellor Dr Merkel - kicked off a process to improve integration in fields such as German language courses, education, economic and labour participation. Representatives of federal government, state governments, local authorities, migrants and private stakeholders developed the National Integration Plan (NIP), published in July 2007, which comprises all relevant integration issues. The NIP is evaluated regularly. Currently, a National Action Plan is being developed, which will lay out the goals of integration in a clear and binding fashion. The plan is scheduled to be adopted in the next summit meeting early in 2012.
