Has Germany now changed? And France? And possibly Belgium?

You mention the language WK and I'm sure those who have tried to learn it will agree it isn't easy! When they interview young Germans on tv I guess it's no surprise how fluent their English is, so maybe English becomes the common tongue? I assume the more educated immigrants would have to have studied some English somewhere along the line.

So would I.

Margaret thank you for posting about this. My best friend from school has a German mother and my perception from what the family have said, is that many Germans are quite pragmatic about the influx of immigrants/refugees. She explained some of the kind of practical arrangements now in place to support people starting over in Germany.

One thing I would like to ask is about the education standards of the refugees. Apart from the language barrier and possibly cultural differences, are the refugees generally less well educated than most Germans? We hear accounts in the media about refugees who were doctors, dentists, etc., back in their own countries. What we don't hear about though is more generally how well suited people are to find work in Germany.

I know Germany has an ageing and shrinking population and the government considers immigration to be part of the solution to this problem. I just wondered if the current immigrants can really help. What do you think?

I'd read a page from Russia Today with a pinch of salt.

Just read the link but not impressed, a cheap way of filling a page. This socialmedia gets on my nerves anyway.

There have been more babies lately and Italy the land of the Latin lover has even fewer babies than Germany.

We don't have more of a problem than France or even the US. Its frightening I know but then with all those thousands that are here, there has to be some bad eggs among them.

The 16 states have their own police forces and governments and more money will now be needed.Maybe the army will be used as back up.
There is a problem with jobs because you have to be good to get a job here. I don't know how discerning we have to be, we can but beg that young people come, but apprenticeships are still like in the old days. 3 years long,then 3 years as journeyman and then if you're clever then becoming a master.

Our local college qualifies the carpenters and cabinet makers as Masters. They work and study 2 years and in that time design and make their own Masterpiece. An original piece of furniture and it must be perfect. There are usually 12 -20 young men and women and at the end of the year their Masterpieces are on display and I am always overwhelmed at what the have produced.

I spent 4 years of my working life in Germany too. But we weren't called gastarbeiter - we were called squaddies!

Thank you obieone for the link. Yes, I agree Germany has a major problem. I worked in Munich about 35 years ago alongside Turks and Italians, (I was a chambermaid improving my German while at university.) We were called "Gastarbeiter"and that seemed fair to me - we were "guests" in Germany and allowed to "work" there. We were treated as (foreign) guests and behaved as guests respecting the German work ethic and culture.
The title of "guest worker" no longer exists due to political correctness, and I'm not sure today's immigrants come with the same work ethic and intentions anyway?
I think the article raises a good point, that Germany needs to be more discerning and look further afield for suitable workers, rather than just taking anyone who fancies turning up to try their luck.