German Bundestag Publishes Inquiry into Western Balkans Labor Migration Policy
Berlin, Germany – July 10, 2025 – The German Bundestag has today released a parliamentary document, “Drucksachen 21/837: Kleine Anfrage Arbeitskräftezuwanderung über die sogenannte Westbalkanregelung (PDF),” which details a minor inquiry regarding labor migration from the Western Balkans under the established regulation. The document, published at 10:00 AM, signals continued parliamentary interest in the effectiveness and implications of this specific immigration pathway.
The “Westbalkanregelung,” or Western Balkans Regulation, has been a key instrument in facilitating the entry of skilled and semi-skilled workers from countries in the region, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, to address labor shortages in Germany. This regulation allows for the employment of citizens from these countries even if their qualifications are not immediately recognized under standard EU rules, provided they have a concrete job offer and meet certain criteria.
While the specific questions posed in this “Kleine Anfrage” (minor inquiry) are not detailed in the initial announcement of the publication, such inquiries typically aim to seek clarification on current implementation, identify potential challenges, and understand the impact of the policy. It is common for members of parliament to request data on the number of permits issued, the sectors benefiting most from this migration, the integration process of these workers, and any associated costs or benefits for the German economy and society.
The timing of this inquiry, with its publication in mid-2025, suggests a review of the policy’s ongoing performance and potentially its future adjustments. As Germany continues to face demographic shifts and a demand for skilled labor across various industries, policies like the Western Balkans Regulation play a crucial role in meeting these needs.
The Bundestag’s engagement through these inquiries demonstrates a commitment to thorough oversight and evidence-based policymaking. The responses to this specific inquiry will likely provide valuable insights into the current state of labor migration from the Western Balkans and inform future discussions on immigration strategies in Germany. Further analysis of the document’s content is expected to reveal the precise areas of parliamentary concern and the data being sought from the relevant government ministries.
21/837: Kleine Anfrage Arbeitskräftezuwanderung über die sogenannte Westbalkanregelung (PDF)
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Drucksachen published ’21/837: Kleine Anfrage Arbeitskräftezuwanderung über die sogenannte Westbalkanregelung (PDF)’ at 2025-07-10 10:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.