BERLIN, March 29 (Reuters) - Germany on Wednesday unveiled draft reforms on immigration, skills training and promoting immigration from Western Balkan countries, a bid by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government to plug labour shortages in Europe's largest economy.
"Securing our skilled labour base is one of Germany's biggest economic tasks for the coming decades," Labour Minister Hubertus Heil said.
One of the reforms is a new immigration law that aims to address key hurdles for migrants to Germany, particularly for those coming from outside the European Union.
The draft law, seen by Reuters, says the reform could increase the number of workers from countries outside the EU by 60,000 people a year.
The opportunity card follows a points-based system that takes into account qualifications, language skills, professional experience, connection to Germany and age.