Georgian citizens allowed temporary legal employment in Germany

By Natalia Kochiashvili

Friday, February 12

“Negotiations are underway with other countries, at this stage it is Bulgaria and Israel, we also have a dialogue with France. It will not be a one-year program, it will be systematic,” the minister said.

Georgian citizens will be able to work in Germany for 3 months. Seasonal works will start in Germany from April 1. The registration process will start on February 15 will last throughout the year.

Employment for seasonal jobs involves harvesting a variety of seasonal crops. The duration of employment is from 1 to 3 months. Working hours are 8 - 10 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. The workers will be paid minimum wage, Euro9.50 per hour (accrued), which will be deducted from taxes, food and accommodation expenses.

Employment is mainly available for seasonal work in the agricultural sector. The job seeker should register on the special registration portal and must be a citizen of Georgia, 18-60 years old, who has not traveled to the Schengen area for 3 months before leaving for Germany. The person should be in a good Physical health, has to have work experience and motivation for harvesting, doesn’t have any violations that restrict their re-entry into the country and has elementary communication skills in German or English (in case of group employment, it is necessary that at least one member is able to communicate in German or English). The language requirement as well as the final decision on employment is determined by the employer.

At a press conference on the Temporary Legal Employment Program in Germany, the Minister of Health Ekaterine Tikaradze noted that initially only 500 people had the opportunity to participate in the program, but this year the number is not defined and all those who meet the relevant requirements, will be employed. She also met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany Hubert Knirsch to discuss temporary legal employment in Germany and signed the agreement on the program.

“We are cooperating with the German private sector and the demand for labor is in line with the needs of the private sector. This is the first pilot project in Germany.” she said

According to her, the Georgian government is working to expand the sectors, so that more people can gain European work experience/skills in addition to the financial benefits. Tikaradze announced negotiations on legal employment of Georgians are underway with three other countries - Bulgaria, Israel and France.