International

Germany relaxes EU Blue Card rules to attract skilled workers

Published

4 days ago

November 10, 2024

Germany relaxes EU Blue Card rules to attract skilled workers

Germany is making it easier for skilled workers to live and work in the country by simplifying the EU Blue Card process.

The EU Blue Card, which grants non-EU nationals the right to live and work in Germany, has traditionally been difficult to obtain due to high salary thresholds and limited job categories.

However, recent changes to the policy aim to address these challenges and make Germany a more attractive destination for international talent.

DAAD Scholarship reports that Germany has lowered the salary requirements and expanded the list of eligible professions for the EU Blue Card, providing more opportunities for skilled workers.

These changes are expected to help Germany address its ongoing shortage of skilled labour in sectors such as healthcare, IT, and engineering.

New salary requirements for Blue Card applicants

One of the biggest changes to the EU Blue Card program is the reduction in the minimum salary requirement for applicants. Previously, candidates needed to earn a high salary to qualify for the Blue Card, but now the bar has been lowered to make it more accessible.

Currently, applicants must earn at least €45,300 gross annually, which is about 1.5 times the average German salary. However, the minimum salary is even lower for those in high-demand fields.

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If your profession is on Germany’s shortage occupation list—such as healthcare, IT, or engineering—the minimum salary drops to €41,041.80.

This change aims to attract skilled workers to areas where there is a significant labour shortage.

Expanded list of eligible professions

DAAD reports that Germany is actively seeking workers in various sectors, and as part of the 2024 changes, the list of eligible professions for the Blue Card has been expanded.

In addition to IT, healthcare, and engineering, the new rules open up opportunities for other skilled professionals to apply for a Blue Card. This includes sectors such as natural sciences, technology, and management.

The expansion of eligible professions indicates that more workers with specialized skills will now be able to take advantage of the Blue Card program.

It also reflects Germany’s growing demand for talent in a wide range of industries as the country looks to maintain its competitive edge in the global market.

Benefits for recent graduates

The new rules also offer significant benefits for recent university graduates. According to reports, if you have graduated within the past three years, you can now apply for the EU Blue Card with a lower salary requirement of €41,041.80, regardless of the field you studied.
This makes it easier for recent graduates to find employment in Germany and begin their careers abroad.
Furthermore, the German government is encouraging young professionals to move to the country and help fill skill gaps in various industries.

IT professionals can qualify without a degree

Reports inform on another important change in the Blue Card program, which is that IT professionals with at least three years of relevant work experience can now apply for the EU Blue Card, even if they do not have a university degree.
This change recognizes the value of practical experience and opens the door to IT professionals who may not have followed a traditional academic path but have built up significant skills through work.
This policy shift is a direct response to the growing demand for skilled IT workers, especially in fields like software development, cybersecurity, and data management.
Germany hopes that by relaxing the educational requirements for IT professionals, it will be able to attract more talent to the tech sector.

Streamlined application process

In addition to the changes in salary and eligibility criteria, Germany is also making the Blue Card application process faster and more straightforward.
The new system is designed to reduce the amount of paperwork and processing time, making it easier for applicants to get their Blue Card and start working in Germany sooner.
This will likely be a welcome change for many, as it reduces the time spent on administrative tasks and allows candidates to focus more on settling into their new roles and life in Germany.
The changes to the EU Blue Card are designed to make it easier for skilled workers to contribute to Germany’s economy and fill key roles in industries that are essential to the country’s future growth,  DAAD informs.
By lowering salary requirements, expanding eligible professions, and streamlining the application process, Germany hopes to draw in top talent and maintain its status as a global leader in innovation and economic strength.

Germany relaxes EU Blue Card rules to attract skilled workers

International

Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion

Published

11 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion

Two employees of Givaudan sense colour, a factory known for making colourings for beverages, located in Louisville, Kentucky, United States (US) were killed in an explosion that took place at the company’s facility.

The factory reported that the incident which took place on Tuesday, November 12 in the afternoon have also destroyed buildings around the company.

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Louisville Mayor, Craig Greenberg stated that firefighters managed to rescue and evacuate numerous individuals from the site, including some who sustained life-threatening injuries.

He also confirmed that all employees present at the plant during the explosion have been accounted for.

Earlier reports indicated that at least 11 workers were hospitalized.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion

International

Local security chief arrested over murder of mayor in Mexico

Published

19 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Alejandro Arcos

Local security chief arrested over murder of mayor in Mexico

German Reyes, a local security official in Chilpancingo, Mexico has been arrested for the murder of the city’s mayor, Alejandro Arcos.

The Mexican authorities announced his arrest via a statement on Tuesday, November 12.

The Mayor was killed in the month of October as security officials discovered his lifeless body in his pick-up truck with his head chopped off and placed on his body.

The brutal killing and decapitation of Mayor Alejandro Arcos, which occurred just days after he assumed office, stunned the nation.

Guerrero prosecutors confirmed the detention of the security official who was identified as German ‘N,’ in line with Mexican practice of withholding the full names of suspects.

However, a local government official later identified him as German Reyes, who was the security chief for Chilpancingo, a city of around 280,000 residents in southwestern Mexico prior to his arrest.

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“The Guerrero prosecutor’s office, the Mexican army and the National Guard, arrested a man for the crime of qualified homicide in Chilpancingo,” the statement said.

The arrest seems to provide more proof of the extensive infiltration of organized crime in local governments across large parts of Mexico, as well as the corruption among local officials.

Reyes had a lengthy career in Mexico’s military, according to his public profile.

Further reports by the police revealed that the Mayor had prior to his death, left Chilpancingo in his truck without a driver or security detail, heading toward the nearby town of Petaquillas, Mexico.

Local media also suggested that Arcos had met with members of Los Ardillos, a criminal group operating in Guerrero, Mexico.

Local security chief arrested over murder of mayor in Mexico

International

COP29: Islamic bank supports WHO Impact Investment with $10m

Published

1 day ago

November 12, 2024

Trends Admin

COP29: Islamic bank supports WHO Impact Investment with $10m

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has committed a $10 million grant to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP), bolstering its mission to strengthen primary healthcare systems worldwide.

Announced on November 12, 2024, during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, the grant highlights IsDB’s dedication to enhancing health resilience and climate adaptation in low- and middle-income countries.

In a statement on Tuesday, IsDB described HIIP as a groundbreaking partnership among Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), WHO and nations seeking robust health and climate solutions.

“This initiative focuses on the investment in essential, climate and crisis-resilient primary health care services and systems,” the bank stated, emphasizing the aim to reinforce the health system, especially in low- and middle-income countries and in underserved communities, ultimately aiming to foster resilience against emerging health threats and climate challenges.

Fifteen countries are identified as part of phase one of the Health Impact Investment Platform: Burundi, Central African Republic, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia Guinea Bissau .

Other countries included Jordan, Maldives Morocco, Senegal, South Sudan, The Gambia, Tunisia and Zambia.

Supporting WHO’s technical assistance goals

The $10 million grant will specifically support the technical assistance that WHO provides to countries around the world to assess investment needs and to design the most impactful health projects.

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“These projects will serve as the foundation for co-investment by the MDBs, ensuring that resources are directed toward areas with the greatest potential for positive health outcomes,”IsDB added.

Over the next four years, WHO aims to strengthen climate resilience as part of its Fourteenth General Programme of Work, which includes implementing national climate adaptation plans and making 10,000 health facilities fully operational, including solar-powered electrification.

Unlocking $500m in health investments across the region

In addition to the $10 million grant, IsDB’s contribution is projected to unlock at least $500 million in health investments across the region.

“This collective goal is part of a broader effort to mobilize a total of US$ 1.5 billion in concessional loans and grants, focusing on critical areas, this way addressing national health priorities.”

Advancing health resilience, leadership statements

IsDB President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser said, the Islamic Development Bank is proud to support the Health Impact Investment Platform as part of our unwavering commitment to advancing universal health coverage and resilience in our Member Countries.

“These Multilateral Development Banks and WHO partnerships enable us to scale up primary health care where it is needed most, creating a stronger foundation to withstand future crises and addressing the pressing health challenges of today.”

“Together, we are fostering a healthier, more equitable future for communities across the globe,” he said.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that low- and middle-income countries need access to sustainable financing to strengthen their health systems through primary health care, to make them both more resilient to pandemics and more equitable in delivering essential health services.

“The Health Impact Investment Platform combines WHO’s public health expertise and on-the-ground presence with the resources and financing expertise of the Islamic Development Bank and other multilateral development banks. By working together, we can make a significant difference in improving health outcomes and creating a healthier future for all.”

The IsDB, along with its partners, remains committed to fostering partnerships that will advance healthcare and improve quality of life globally.