German Handcraft Sector Urges Retention of Skilled Syrian Workers

Industry leaders call for policy changes to prevent deportation of integrated Syrian employees amid ongoing labor shortages.

The Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH) has called for the permanent employment of integrated Syrian workers, emphasizing their value as skilled laborers.
Many Syrian employees have been trained by German companies at significant expense, highlighting the economic and practical importance of retaining them.
The current employment rate for Syrians in Germany stands at 40%, with approximately 975,000 Syrians residing in the country, most of whom arrived since 2015 due to the Syrian civil war.
The ZDH president criticized inefficiencies in Germany's Skilled Immigration Act, citing delays in visa processing and high taxes that deter foreign workers from choosing Germany.
The German Development Ministry has expressed concerns about forced repatriation to Syria, citing poor humanitarian conditions and potential for renewed conflict in the region.