The
German government passed a bill on Friday that will allow up to
20,000 foreigners to live and work in the country.
But Germany is not
just letting anyone in.
It's set up an American-type green card system. It will allow in
computer experts from outside the European Union to try to remedy
Germany's shortage of specialists in information technology.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder says the move will help
Germany stay competitive in the international IT market.
Opposition conservatives argued the plan would take jobs from
Germans. The 20,000 "guest workers" will come from eastern Europe
and India. They'll be allowed to stay for up to five years. To
qualify, they must have a university degree or prove that they will
earn a minimum of 100,000 marks ($47,789 US) per year.
