Germany sounds the alarm that highly-skilled migrants are flocking to Britain and other English-speaking nations
Germany has sounded the alarm that highly-skilled migrants are leaving for Britain and other English-speaking nations.
Berlin's labour minister Hubertus Heil pleaded with a group of Indian science students to stay as he visited a university in the city last week.
Mr Heil highlighted concerns about retaining such workers, with a better offer available in rival economies such as the UK.
'Please stay. Germany needs you,' Mr Heil told the students at the Freien Universität.
'Due to demographic changes, Germany is dependent on more immigration but people also have to stay.'
Biotechnologists, physicists and computer scientists are among the groups that Germany has been struggling to retain.
Berlin 's labour minister Hubertus Heil (pictured left with Chancellor Scholz) pleaded with a group of Indian science students to stay as he visited a university in the city last week
The UK granted 89,000 Indian students visas on the graduate route in the year to March - despite fears that the wider level of legal migration is unsustainably high
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has been pushing for visa deals with major economies
In contrast, the UK granted 89,000 Indian students visas on the graduate route in the year to March - despite fears that the wider level of legal migration is unsustainably high.
Mr Heil is set to visit India this Autumn as he draws up a skilled worker strategy for Germany.
He has been talking up the country's high wages and lifestyle as he tries to shore up the workforce.
The German Economic Institute (GEI) has flagged that the number of highly skilled Indian workers coming to Germany rose by 36,291 last year.
Mr Heil reportedly said: One thing is clear: Germany needs bright minds and helping hands. That is why, in addition to securing skilled workers domestically, qualified immigration from abroad is also important.
'We will launch an India skilled worker strategy this year. This is also a clear signal to young people in India that they are welcome here.'
