Anger over “small minority”
Heil wants to temporarily cut off citizens’ benefits for those who refuse to work
December 28, 2023, 3:59 p.m
Plans from the Ministry of Labor stipulate that people who consistently refuse to work and have no valid reasons for this will temporarily have their citizens’ benefit completely abolished. A bonus for further training should also be abolished.
Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil wants to at least temporarily withdraw support from citizens’ benefit recipients if they consistently refuse to work. This emerges from a draft of the so-called Second Budget Financing Act 2024. According to the draft, which is currently being coordinated by the department, the service should be completely canceled for two months.
“Anyone who doesn’t go along and refuses all offers must expect harsher consequences. We will therefore tighten the sanctions available against those who refuse completely,” said Heil to “Bild” as justification. “It cannot be that a small minority brings the entire system into disrepute.”
The SPD politician also emphasized the need for social security. The “overwhelming majority” of benefit recipients cooperate in attempts to gain further qualifications and find work.
The planned citizen’s money bonus for further training should also be abolished. However, the financial incentives such as further training allowances and further training bonuses should be retained.
The federal agency also has to save money
The changes are the result of the budget negotiations in the traffic light coalition, in which the Ministry of Labor also has to make a contribution to consolidation. The draft shows that the Federal Employment Agency (BA) should transfer 1.5 billion euros to the federal government in 2024 and 2025 as compensation for previous subsidies. The BA should then pay 1.1 billion euros in 2026 and 2027.
In addition, it should be stipulated that unemployment insurance contributions can only be reduced if the BA has set aside a reserve of 0.8 percent of the gross domestic product. “This increases legal certainty for the BA and those paying contributions,” it says.
Citizens’ benefit for around 5.5 million adults and children in basic security will increase by up to 61 euros per month in 2024, increasing more than ever before – by a good twelve percent. In 2025, the increase is expected to be very low.