German parties reach immigration deal

The governing coalition parties in Germany have reached agreement on new measures to ease immigration law, after hammering out a deal at overnight talks.

The bill, which will now go before the cabinet, is designed to admit thousands of workers into Germany, alleviating a shortage of skilled labour.

It is also expected to offset a rapid decline in Germany's population.

Agreement was reached after lengthy talks between Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats and his Green Party coalition partners.

The proposals have been criticised by the Christian Democrat opposition, who want tighter immigration controls.