BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Privately operated care facilities see the shortage of skilled workers as an immense problem. The President of the Federal Association of Private Providers of Social Services, Bernd Meurer, told the editorial network Germany (Tuesday) that the labor market had been swept completely empty. “The care facilities are just chasing each other’s staff.” Meurer complained that there were high bureaucratic hurdles when recruiting foreign skilled workers. “Depending on the federal state, it takes far more than a year until a skilled worker is finally recognized. And that in a shortage occupation.”
Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) had announced that he wanted to recruit more nurses from countries with a large workforce such as Brazil. He will travel to Brazil in June together with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), because there the labor potential in the care sector is very large. In addition, there are agreements with Indonesia and Mexico.
Association President Meurer said there were increasing reports of bankruptcies or business closures in the care industry. All providers are affected, i.e. not only family businesses, but also larger operators and institutions of free welfare. Because of the shortage of skilled workers, places in homes could not be occupied – but if the occupancy slipped to 80 percent, a home could hardly be operated economically. Ultimately, those in need of care and their families were left behind.
The Central Association of Statutory Health Insurance (GKV), which also represents the long-term care insurance funds, emphasized that fair pay, good working conditions and a sufficient number of training places are in the hands of the home operators. “For too long it was saved at the expense of the nursing staff, that’s taking revenge now,” said spokesman Florian Lanz on Monday./bg/DP/mis