An essential response to labour shortages lies in increasing productivity, enabling high value creation even with reduced labour input. Digitalisation, automation and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) offer great productivity potential for businesses. These should therefore be seen as opportunities and innovative ways to secure jobs and skilled labour. The same applies to public administration, which can, for instance, accelerate and make more efficient economic approval processes or skilled worker residence procedures. A more efficient and, hence, less personnel-intensive administration would also make more workers and skilled personnel available for the commercial economy.
To capitalise on these opportunities, there is a need for an innovation- and investment-friendly environment, appropriate digital infrastructure, and good digital and AI skills among employees.
Digitalisation has already changed the way we work, not least through the increase in mobile and flexible working. With corresponding offers regarding such employment forms, businesses can position themselves as attractive employers for sought-after skilled workers. A reliable and straightforward legal framework is also necessary, enabling businesses and employees to find suitable solutions that consider business requirements, customer demands, and employee needs. However, new legal claims (such as the entitlement to home office) would send the wrong signal, as they fail to reflect the diversity of businesses and burden them with costs, bureaucracy, and a loss of flexibility.