[nicbou]

It was on everyone’s lips for a few years, to the point that it had become the placeholder for the entire meme.

The short version is that there is a shortage of skilled workers that absolutely requires immigrants to fill the gaps. However when you look around there isn’t really a shortage; people just aren’t willing to work for little pay. The English term implies that there is an actual shortage.

It might please you to know just how much English other languages are peppered with.

[fabianholzer]

It's being used in the German political discourse since at least the first term of the Schröder government in the late 1990es, which is about where I started following the news and politics more closely. It has been used cynically as justification for every thinkable cut into the social system ever since, from lobbying against a minimum wage to moving up the retirement age. You won't find many people, except for politicians and lobbyists, that'll still use the term unironically. It seems there are remarkable parallels on the other side of the Atlantic ocean.

[missedthecue]

Does this imply that people would rather be broke than work for less pay than they want? How are they paying rent each month?

[lifestyleguru]

Less pay in EU means working to afford only the rent, bills, and groceries. One is better off doing nothing professionally and living off their savings. Well, the 2025 is going to be interesting....

[nicbou]

Unemployment benefits cover 60% of your income for up to 12 months. It’s more sensible to find another appropriate job than to work in a low wage job.