On September 15, 2022, 300 guests attended the 25th OBS Migration Forum held at the historic Gürzenich in Cologne, Germany. The core of the discussions centered around a highly relevant and pressing topic: “Labor market integration and securing skilled workers – nothing works without migrants anymore.”

Among the notable participants was Mr. Frad, Chairman of Human Restart, highlighting the organization’s active involvement and continuous dedication to the vital issues of migration and professional integration.

Throughout the panel discussions, several key demands were put forward to improve the integration of migrants into the workforce. A primary focus was the urgent need for a more flexible assessment of qualifications and skills acquired abroad. Claudia Moravek perfectly encapsulated this sentiment with the motto: “Show what you can do.” Furthermore, experts strongly advocated for facilitating more opportunities for “partial qualifications” once again, ensuring that these pathways are also made accessible to older individuals, thereby maximizing the potential of all available talent.

Additionally, Kai Gehring, Member of the German Bundestag (MdB), emphasized the critical importance of crucial legal reforms. He highlighted that abolishing the practice of “chain tolerations” (Ketten-Duldungen) is essential. Ending this cycle of temporary and uncertain legal status is a vital step toward providing migrants with the stability and legal certainty they need to fully participate in society and the economy.

At Human Restart, we remain fully committed to advocating for these essential changes. We continue to work tirelessly to remove bureaucratic barriers, empowering migrant professionals to build a brighter, shared future and proving that diversity is the cornerstone of economic growth and innovation.