A proposal by two German cabinet officials to make Germany more attractive for highly skilled workers has been rejected by Chancellor Angela Merkel in favor of the European Union blue card. The EU blue card is an initiative to attract highly skilled professionals from outside the 27-member bloc.

Currently, Germany requires that a foreign worker from outside the EU to make EURO 64,000 annually. German Federal Minister Rainer Bruederle feels that the German labor market should open itself up more to highly qualified specialists in light of the growing shortage of skilled workers. He stated that Germany should pay "welcome money" to incoming highly skilled immigrants.

In addition, Federal Minister for Education and Research Annete Schavan called for the government to make Germany more attractive to highly skilled workers by removing obstacles such as the EURO 64,000 salary threshold.

Both called for an easing of visa restrictions and limits on bringing family members.

A spokesperson for the Chancellor said Merkel sees no need to change the current regulations and that it is showing positive results. And with the plans to implement the blue card in 2011, Germany will be in good shape to attract highly skilled workers from abroad.

According to the spokesperson, "the blue card is intended to simplify the procedures for foreign specialists to live and work in the EU for many years."