Stricter Rules for Citizens' Allowance Recipients Enacted

The Cabinet has introduced new regulations for citizens' allowance recipients, aiming to address labor shortages. These rules include harsher penalties for those refusing work or engaging in undeclared work, and a reduction in the waiting period before personal assets are considered. Recipients now face potentially longer commutes, deemed reasonable under the new guidelines, with the aim of increasing job acceptance rates.

To encourage employment among the long-term unemployed, the government offers a 1,000 euros start-up incentive for those taking up work. Employers hiring refugees with limited German skills can benefit from wage subsidies. Additionally, asylum seekers and persons with tolerated status will find it easier to obtain work permits, reflecting efforts to integrate them into the labor market more efficiently.

The government has also mandated job centers to report suspicions of undeclared work to customs authorities, tightening control over illegal employment practices. These measures, as stated by Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck, are crucial for addressing the ongoing shortage of labor and skilled workers in Germany.

In parallel, employers are encouraged to hire refugees through incentives that include subsidizing wages and supporting participation in government-funded language courses. This initiative, praised by Green Party leader Omid Nouripour, not only addresses workforce shortages but also promotes the integration of refugees into society by reducing bureaucratic barriers.