BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet passed new immigration laws on Wednesday to make it easier for lower-skilled foreigners to seek work in Germany and offer rejected asylum seekers who can't be deported a path to residency. Approval of the laws shows a willingness to risk political fallout from liberalising immigration rules in order to ease a labour shortage that companies say could hurt future growth. The BDA association of German employers welcomed the immigration law, urging parliament not to amend the blueprint before it ratifies the law next year. If they are still working once their work permit expires and their German language skills have improved they can apply for a residency permit. "Germany needs an immigration law that regulates and limits immigration."

Source: The Star December 19, 2018 14:26 UTC