Foreign Workers Vital to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Economy Amid Labor Shortages

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV), over one-third of companies depend on foreign workers to sustain their operations, according to a recent survey by the Association of Business Associations MV (VU). The survey highlights that 90% of hotels and restaurants in the region employ international staff, alongside 70% in labor market services and 63% in building services. This reliance underscores the critical role immigrants play amidst significant labor shortages driven by an aging population and an insufficient number of school graduates — only about 9,000 annually — to meet workforce demands.

VU President Lars Schwarz emphasized the indispensable nature of foreign labor, stating, "Without foreign assistance, the hospitality sector could close down completely." To raise awareness, the VU launched the campaign "Who makes your everyday life possible? The backbone of the economy speaks many languages," which aims to showcase immigrant contributions through media and highlight their integration into daily business activities.

Addressing structural challenges, Schwarz called for faster, business-friendly immigration procedures and improved recognition of professional qualifications to attract motivated refugees and new workers. The integration of foreign workers, he noted, is crucial to the survival and future sustainability of smaller businesses in MV, pointing to immigration as a vital economic pillar in the region.

This comprehensive picture demonstrates how immigrant labor is essential not only to key sectors like hospitality, construction, and food processing but also to the broader economic stability of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in facing demographic and labor market pressures.