Currently, over 900,000 people live in Germany. Syrians. So Merz is about over 700 thousand people who would leave. According to the Federal Employment Agency, 266 thousand 100 of them are employed in jobs covered by social insurance, and including people who perform occasional work, approximately 320,000 people have jobs. Syrians.
According to the Institute for Labor Market and Professions Research (IAB), the employment rate among all Syrian refugees is currently 47 percent, and among men 70 percent, which is comparable to percentage of employment among Germans. Many refugees also receive training in technical and care professions in Germany.
— In labor-intensive sectors where they already exist today shortages of skilled workers — especially in care, catering and logistics — a significant return of workers would deepen the existing supply problem, explains Geraldine Dany-Knedlik, director of economic development at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) to Bild. He adds that this would hit the system “without a demographic buffer.”
This means that There are almost no workers in Germany who could replace Syrians.
According to the IAB analysis from 2023, 21.8 percent of all employed Syrians work in the transport and logistics sector. The next places are catering (13.6%) and production-related professions (13.1%). Among employed women, professions related to education, care and social counseling are at the forefront (28.8%), followed by professions related to health care (18.1%).
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“We don't want to give up on any of them.”
— Even though the percentage of Syrian citizens among those employed in our industry is rather small, in the face of the widespread shortage of qualified workers, we cannot and do not want to give up any of them, regardless of whether they are drivers or warehouse workers, says Dirk Engelhardt, head of the Federal Association of Road Transport, Logistics and Waste Management (BGL), to Bild.
Healthcare may also have a problem, according to the German Hospital Association. According to data Syrian doctors constitute the largest group among foreign doctors in clinicsnumbering 5,745 people. In addition, 2,000 Syrians work as nursing staff in hospitals alone. “Forcing a return would not be productive from a health care perspective,” says union leader Henriette Neumeyer.
The importance of Syrian workers for the German economy is best summarized by IAB labor market expert Enzo Weber. “Most of them work in professions that require qualifications,” he explains.
Return. But for what?
The statement came against the backdrop of the visit of interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara to Germany.
During his visit to London, Al-Shara expressed reservations about the return of Syrian refugees. The moderator asked him about the statement that 80 percent Syrians in Germany should be returned to their homeland. According to a translation provided by the organizer, Chatham House, the Syrian leader responded that the claim was somewhat exaggerated. He explained that it was not he, but the German Chancellor, who made such a thesis.
He further explained that the return depends on the reconstruction of the country — a sufficient number of jobs must be created and foreign companies must be attracted. Al-Shara guaranteed that if appropriate conditions are created, 80 percent refugees will return to their home country, Syria.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
