German opposition leader proposes ending payments to unemployed Ukrainian refugees
Carsten Linnemann, the deputy leader of Germany’s largest
opposition party, the CDU, proposed to cut financial assistance to 100,000
unemployed people, including Ukrainian refugees, in an interview with Deutschlandfunk
on July 28.
“Statistics show that a six-figure number of people are
unwilling to accept a job on principle,” Linnemann said.
“If this is the situation, the state should assume that
people do not need (benefits - ed.). Cutting benefits by 10, 20 or 30% is not
enough. In this case, it is necessary to completely cancel the basic income.”
The CDU representative also included Ukrainian refugees in
the list of those who should have their benefits canceled.
“Ukrainians are also defending our freedom,” he said.
“But if there is assistance, it should bring something in
return. In particular, in terms of employment (...). We should discuss why more
than 50% of Ukrainians work in many European countries, but only 25% in
Germany.”
Linnemann proposed to make exceptions in terms of preserving
benefits for single parents and people who care for relatives.
Unemployment benefits for Ukrainian refugees in Germany
According to a report by the Federal Employment Agency of
Germany, as of July 3, 234,000 Ukrainian refugees out of a total of 1.33
million people (including more than 800,000 of the working age population) have
jobs (187,000 permanent jobs and 47,000 temporary jobs).
The rest receive Bürgergeld (unemployment benefits), which
in 2024 are fixed at 563 euros ($612) per month.
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