Between 1955 and 1973, the West German government entered into labor migration agreements with Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia, and Yugoslavia. In addition, special programs were implemented to recruit miners and nurses from South Korea. In 1973, labor migration was brought to a halt. Despite the absence of initial plans for permanent settlement, many migrants chose to make the FRG their home. They played a significant role in financing the welfare state and greatly contributed to economic growth. They formed families or reunited with their loved ones, established numerous self-organized groups and organizations, and played a pivotal role in shaping social and cultural life.
Conversely, the GDR entered into recruitment agreements with socialist states. These agreements began in 1963 with Poland and continued until 1986, extending to Hungary, Algeria, Cuba, Mozambique, Vietnam, Mongolia, Angola, China, and North Korea. Migrant workers in the GDR were required to reside in strictly monitored dormitories, separated from the local population, often engaging in physically demanding work. After the reunification of Germany in 1989, the agreements between the GDR and the socialist countries were terminated. Consequently, a substantial number of the remaining 90,000 individuals lost their jobs and were forced to leave the country.
