NRW relies on nationwide payment card: Bavaria leads the way
While Bavaria is already planning its own payment card for asylum seekers, North Rhine-Westphalia is still hoping for a nationwide solution. The federal and state governments finally reached a binding agreement on this at their conference on November 6, said a government spokesperson in Düsseldorf on Wednesday when asked by the German Press Agency.
"North Rhine-Westphalia is committed to implementing the resolutions as quickly and uniformly as possible throughout Germany." The working group of the federal states will begin its work soon. "One thing is clear: the implementation must be constitutional in terms of receiving and granting benefits," emphasized the spokesperson.
The Minister Presidents of the federal states and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) want asylum seekers in Germany to receive at least part of their benefits as a credit on a payment card in future. Last week, they agreed that a federal-state working group should draw up proposals for uniform nationwide minimum standards by 31 January. The card is intended to prevent money transfers to the country of origin.
During questioning in the Bundestag on Wednesday, Scholz said that he expected the payment card to be implemented soon. He had heard from certain providers that they were prepared to make such a service available, "so it will probably happen quickly".
Bavaria wants the card to be "actually used in practice" in the state as early as spring 2024, as State Chancellery Head Florian Herrmann (CSU) said on Tuesday following a corresponding cabinet decision in Munich. A concept for Bavaria had been drawn up and the tendering process was now underway. The Free State is doing this on its "own initiative" and is "early". It may then be interesting for others to join in.
"In light of the nationwide agreement, North Rhine-Westphalia is prioritizing the swift and uniform implementation of benefits for refugees using the payment card, ensuring constitutional compliance."
"Asylum seekers, including refugees, may soon receive part of their benefits on a payment card, aiming to prevent financial transfers to their countries of origin, following the remarks by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the willingness of certain providers to provide this service."
Source: www.dpa.com
