German Intelligence Agency Federal Intelligence Service
"No Allowance for Mobile Phones or Remote Work"
Expresses Difficulty in Recruiting Young Workforce
Germany's intelligence agency, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has expressed difficulties in recruiting new employees due to applicants demanding remote work, according to major foreign media reports on the 22nd (local time). The number of young candidates requesting remote work and refusing to put down their mobile phones even at the workplace is increasing.
According to the reports, Bruno Kahl, head of the BND, stated, "We cannot allow these conditions, which are now taken for granted." He specifically mentioned, "At the BND, working from home is almost impossible for security reasons," and added, "Bringing mobile phones to the workplace is also prohibited."
As the baby boomer generation gradually retires, there is a need to expand new hires, but finding suitable candidates has become a major problem, Kahl explained. Reuters analyzed that this trend became more pronounced especially after experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic. The BND is known to have about 6,500 members.
However, some intelligence agencies are considering remote work. According to the British daily The Guardian, the UK's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS·MI6) recently promoted on its recruitment website that it offers "flexible working to avoid personal commitments." The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has also revealed that there are "several working groups" reviewing remote work.
Meanwhile, the BND was established in West Germany in 1956 during the Cold War era and has maintained its position even after the reunification of East and West Germany in 1989. However, it became controversial for closely cooperating with the United States before the 2003 Iraq invasion and for surveilling journalists within Germany.
Germany's intelligence agency, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has expressed difficulties in recruiting new employees due to applicants requesting remote work, Reuters reported on the 22nd (local time). [Photo by AP·Yonhap News]
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