Ukrainians counter allegations instigated by CDU/CSU and FDP parties
The ruckus revolves around the question: Does Financial Aid for Citizens hinder more Ukranians from working? The leader of the Ukrainian Organizations Alliance in Germany denies this vehemently. "It's the damn system!" she exclaims, offering a solution. The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksij Makejew, has urged politicians to steer clear of debating Financial Aid for Citizens, lest it overshadow the plight of Ukrainian war refugees. "I want my fellow countrymen to be viewed as people, not political pawns," Makejew shared with "Spiegel." He urged the German government, "to help Ukraine secure a fair peace, enabling a safe return."
The Chairwoman of the Ukrainian Organizations Alliance's Board, Oleksandra Bienert, refutes the argument that payments hinder employment during the debate. "Labor market integration is moving at a snail's pace, but not because of that," she informs Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "Ukrainians want to work out of dignity. Who'd rather sit at home, watching TV?" Bienert further notes: "It's the system that's the barrier." Employers confront an onslaught of bureaucracy, while the acknowledgment of Ukrainian professional degrees takes an eternity.
Bienert underscores: "The solution lies in streamlining the system, speeding up recognition, and bolstering employers. The longer people stay, the stronger their roots grow." She does not perceive a generally dwindling acceptance of Ukranian refugees in Germany behind the argument. "We still feel support," Bienert reveals.
Linnemann threatens to withdraw benefits
Meanwhile, Union and FDP stand firm on their demand to stop providing Financial Aid for Citizens to newcomers from Ukraine. CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann views this as a barrier to employment. "Who can work should hit the job market - or else forget about benefits," Linnemann tells "Spiegel." FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai criticizes the high level of state benefits: "Early risers and job go-getters should earn way more than welfare recipients," Djir-Sarai asserts.
Brandenburg's CDU Interior Minister Michael Stübgen contends that paying Financial Aid for Citizens to refugees from Ukraine "has proven to be a colossal blunder." The employment rate of Ukrainians is abysmally low, as Financial Aid for Citizens acts as "a brake on employment." "The German government must inevitably reconsider its course here," Stübgen declares.
FDP vice president pleads for Europe-wide uniformity
FDP Vice President Tina Bachmann advocates for uniformity in Europe when it comes to this issue. "We need a European solution for a European problem," she tells "Spiegel." She criticizes the German government's approach: "Germany can't solve this problem alone." Bachmann calls for a European solution that would help refugees "integrate faster and more sustainably." She also criticizes the German government's lack of transparency regarding the number of refugees from Ukraine who have received Financial Aid for Citizens. "We need more transparency and clarity," she asserts.
FDP Deputy Chair Johannes Vogel advocates for reducing financial state support for Ukranian refugees. "It is legally feasible to combine a less restrictive framework with the employment potential of welfare benefits along with intermediary structures," Vogel also tells RND. It's right and essential to grant protection to people from Ukraine in Germany who have fled Russia's attack. "However, it's reasonable to strive for balanced distribution and a uniformly higher level of state benefits for newcomers in the context of the extension of the corresponding EU directive," he added.
FDG General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai's proposal to stop providing welfare benefits to newcomers from Ukraine but rather the lower benefits for asylum seekers, Vogel doesn't agree with. With the regime change, there would be different employment placement regulations involved. Employment opportunities "should certainly exist from day one, the goal is to integrate Ukranian refugees into the labor market as quickly as possible," said Vogel. "There's still room for improvement in Germany compared to other countries in this regard."
Green security politician Sebastian Schafer warns against the fact that the welfare benefit debate could lower the acceptance for military support for Ukraine. "We need the broad support of our population for the diverse support of Ukraine, which is being eroded by aimless debates like that on welfare benefits," Schafer tells "Spiegel". Green faction vice-president Andreas Audretsch accuses the Union of losing its way. "We had a social consensus that people fleeing Putin's bombs should find shelter with us, earn a living, and support their country," said Audretsch. "The Union is currently trying to tear apart this consensus."
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Despite Russia's attack on Ukraine leading to an influx of refugees, the bureaucratic barriers faced by Ukrainians in Germany hinder their employment opportunities. For instance, the recognition of Ukrainian professional degrees takes an excessively long time, and employers are confronted with an onslaught of bureaucracy. (Bienert's statement)
Amidst the debate surrounding Financial Aid for Citizens, some politicians, such as Bijan Djir-Sarai, advocate for reducing financial state support for Ukrainian refugees and implementing a European solution for a more uniform and sustainable integration process for refugees. (Djir-Sarai's stance)
