Also taking effect today is a major rewrite of §61 of the German Asylum Act (AsylG), cutting the labour-market waiting period for asylum applicants from nine months to three. The change implements article 15 of the EU Migration Pact and was passed by the Bundestag in April, with a deferred start date of 12 June. For German employers battling labour shortages—especially in logistics, food service and hospitality—the shorter stand-down is a potential game-changer. Once the three-month mark is reached, asylum seekers may accept jobs if the Federal Employment Agency (BA) approves. The BA has published a one-page checklist that regional offices can issue electronically, allowing HR departments to verify eligibility during onboarding. Uncooperative applicants who conceal their identity remain barred. The rule dovetails with updated §§60c and 16g of the Residence Act, which make it easier for tolerated (Duldung) holders to switch into vocational training or skilled employment. Mobility specialists say companies should review recruitment pipelines and ensure works-council agreements cover this new talent pool. They also advise updating payroll systems to flag contracts that hinge on BA consent, because fines for illegal employment have risen to €50,000. NGOs welcome the measure but warn that many asylum seekers still face language barriers, credential recognition and limited housing near job hubs. The federal labour ministry has earmarked €48 million for intensive German courses and fast-track qualification assessments, but details on funding allocations to Länder are pending. Businesses that rely on seasonal labour should monitor local pilot programmes, particularly in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Source: Buzer / Federal Legal Gazette
