CSU wants 'new benefit system' for asylum seekers
Asylum seekers already receive fewer social benefits than other needy individuals. Once they are recognized as refugees, they are entitled to unemployment benefits. Politicians from the Union and FDP want to put them at a disadvantage compared to other recipients.
CSU parliamentary group leader Alexander Dobrindt is calling for a reform of social benefits for asylum seekers. "There must be a new social benefits system for asylum seekers that is below the unemployment benefits level," Dobrindt told the "Bild" newspaper. "Stronger participation requirements are also needed when it comes to taking up work." There must be "an offer of work" and this must be part of an integration performance. "Those who refuse reasonable work should expect a reduction in benefits."
However, asylum seekers in Germany already do not receive unemployment benefits, but benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act. These are initially significantly lower than unemployment benefits. Only if they are recognized as refugees and in need, they are entitled to unemployment benefits. Refugees from Ukraine are immediately considered eligible for protection and therefore receive unemployment benefits or social assistance from the start.
The FDP politician Pascal Kober is calling for a more differentiated approach to benefit recipients. "It's time to question whether we don't need different regulations for unemployment benefits for the different affected groups," the employment policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group told the "Rheinische Post".
As an example, he mentioned a distinction between so-called top-up recipients who are still dependent on unemployment benefits alongside their employment, long-term unemployed with many psychological and health problems, and immigrants who could work. "Reasonableness criteria for the latter must take a back seat if costs and public opinion tip," said Kober.
CDU interior politician Alexander Throm proposes the introduction of a "compulsory charitable service" for refugees. "Learn language in the morning, maintain the park in the afternoon. Everyone must contribute," the interior policy spokesman for the Union faction told the "Bild" newspaper.
Throm also criticizes the current system sharply: "For years, it has been observed that the proportion of recognized protection seekers among unemployment benefit recipients is constantly increasing. Meanwhile, it is already around 50 percent. This social benefit is therefore benefiting our citizens less and less and more and more immigrants, especially refugees."
CSU's Alexander Dobrindt supports a new social benefits system for asylum seekers, proposing it to be below the level of unemployment benefits and requiring stronger work participation.
CDU's Alexander Throm suggests a "compulsory charitable service" for refugees, emphasizing that the current system has seen an increase in recognized refugees among unemployment benefit recipients.
