Refugee Council wants account instead of payment card for migrants
In the debate on social benefits for refugees, the Thuringian Refugee Council has spoken out in favor of granting those affected access to regular current accounts. The possible introduction of a payment card for refugees, however, is an inadmissible form of stigmatization, said Juliane Kemnitz, project coordinator of the Refugee Council, to the German Press Agency. "A payment card is actually just a deterrent."
In principle, however, the Refugee Council welcomes the idea of not paying out cash to refugees. This way of securing people's minimum subsistence level is "very costly", said Kemnitz. Using ordinary bank accounts for this purpose would be much more efficient.
However, such accounts should not be blocked, for example, to prevent money being sent abroad, said Kemnitz. If refugees living in Germany saved some of the little money they received to support relatives, they should not be denied this. Moreover, they would "always find a way to do this if they are prepared to save a little from their mouths".
The introduction of a payment card for refugees has been debated throughout Germany for weeks. Supporters of this idea argue that if refugees in Germany are no longer paid in cash, this would reduce the incentive for people to come to Germany. With such a card, refugees should only be able to shop and pay in selected stores or regions.
The possible introduction of a payment card will also be discussed at the top-level meeting between Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the state premiers this Monday.
Kemnitz, on the other hand, said that the idea that a payment card would reduce the number of refugees coming to Germany was completely absurd. "A payment card does not reduce the cause of flight in the countries of origin." It would neither curb climate change nor end wars.
The Refugee Council strongly opposes the idea of issuing payment cards to refugees, viewing it as a form of stigmatization. Instead, they advocate for granting refugees access to regular current accounts, which they believe would be a more efficient and less stigmatizing way to provide social benefits.
Despite their opposition to a payment card, the Refugee Council acknowledges the potential cost-effectiveness of not providing cash payments to refugees. They recommend using ordinary bank accounts for this purpose, but insist that these accounts should not be blocked to prevent money from being sent abroad.
Source: www.dpa.com
