NCJ Number
63980
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 133-136
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
TRENDS IN WEST GERMAN EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN WORKERS AND THE NATURE OF SOCIAL SERVICES REQUIRED FOR THESE WORKERS ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
BECAUSE OF A GREAT DEMAND FOR WORKERS AFTER 1960, WEST GERMANY CHOSE TO RECRUIT ITS WORK FORCE ABROAD (ESPECIALLY FROM TURKEY AND YUGOSLAVIA) RATHER THAN TO DEVELOP NATIVE RESOURCES. AS A RESULT, THE NUMBER OF FOREIGNERS RESIDING IN GERMANY INCREASED 105 PERCENT FROM 1968 TO 1976, THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN SCHOOL CHILDREN INCREASED TENFOLD FROM 1965 TO 1975, AND THE BIRTH RATE AMONG FOREIGNERS IS NOW THREE TIMES GREATER THAN THAT OF THE LOCAL POPULATION (44.6 PERCENT OF ALL BIRTHS IN FRANKFURT IN 1974). THE SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE MUST BE MADE ACCESSIBLE TO THE FOREIGN WORKERS WHO MUST AT THE SAME TIME BE ENCOURAGED TO HELP THEMSELVES. SOCIAL WORKERS HAVE MADE EFFORTS TO ASSIST IN THE INTEGRATION OF THIS LARGE FOREIGN POPULATION INTO GERMAN SOCIETY. AS THE PRINCIPAL PROBLEM LIES IN THE ISOLATION OF THE FOREIGN FAMILIES, SOCIAL SERVICES MUST BE PROVIDED AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL RATHER THAN AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS, AS HAS BEEN THE CASE UP TO NOW. THE REDUCTION OF EXTENDED FAMILIES TO NUCLEAR FAMILIES HAS CREATED INSECURITIES. FREQUENTLY THE FAMILY UNIT BECOMES A REFUGE IN THE FACE OF PREJUDICE FROM GERMAN SOCIETY. THERE IS ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON THE FAMILY TO WORK IN A PROSPEROUS COUNTRY RATHER THAN RETURNING HOME, BUT GERMAN POLICY ONLY ALLOWS SHORT-TERM ASSURANCE OF RESIDENCY PERMITS, RENDERING LONG-TERM PLANNING OF FAMILY AFFAIRS IMPOSSIBLE AND SERIOUSLY AFFECTING THE EDUCATION AND OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING OF CHILDREN. EMANCIPATION AND INTEGRATION OF SECOND AND THIRD GENERATION IMMIGRANTS CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH COOPERATIVE EFFORTS WITH THEIR PARENTS. ONE TABLE IS FURNISHED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)