Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) plans to allow asylum seekers in Germany to start working earlier. “Anyone who comes here should be able to work — and quickly,” Dobrindt told Bild am Sonntag. “The best integration is integration into working life.” Under his proposal, asylum seekers would be permitted to take a job after three months in Germany, even if their asylum procedure has not yet been completed.
At present, asylum seekers need official approval if they want to begin working after a minimum of three months in the country. As long as they are required to live in an initial reception center, they are generally not allowed to work, often resulting in long waiting periods. In their coalition agreement, the Union and the SPD committed to reducing barriers for refugees entering employment and limiting work bans to a maximum of three months.
According to the report, Dobrindt has prepared a “Immediate-to-Work Plan.” It concerns access to the labor market for both full-time employment and mini-jobs. The main goal is to reduce social welfare costs. However, there will be no obligation for asylum seekers to work. “The new rules do not change the process or the outcome of the asylum procedure,” a spokesperson for Dobrindt said. “Whether someone works or not has no influence on the final decision about protection or rejection.” The procedure will continue independently of employment.
According to the information provided, rejected asylum seekers and people “who do not cooperate in the procedure”, meaning those who conceal their identity or give false information about their reasons for fleeing, will be explicitly excluded from the new rules. Working asylum seekers may generally keep their earnings, the spokesperson told the newspaper. “If they receive social benefits, the income is taken into account, for example for accommodation.”
The SPD supported the plans. “Work is a crucial factor for successful integration, especially for learning the German language quickly,” parliamentary secretary Dirk Wiese told the Rheinische Post (Monday edition). Wiese added: “In addition, in light of demographic developments we urgently need workers for the economy.” It is therefore welcome “that Minister Dobrindt is now implementing the coalition agreement here.”
The Greens in the Bundestag, however, warned of a “deception maneuver.” “The decisive question is whether all affected individuals will truly be allowed to work — or whether large groups will once again be excluded,” said their domestic policy spokesperson Marcel Emmerich. They noted an obvious contradiction with Dobrindt’s previous positions. “While there is talk of making access to the labor market easier, integration courses are being restricted, even though they are essential for acquiring language skills and thus for sustainable integration.”
A few days ago, it became known that Dobrindt is planning extensive restrictions on access to integration courses. Under the proposal, only people who are required by authorities to attend would be able to participate free of charge. This applies mainly to recognized asylum beneficiaries. Those excluded would include asylum seekers.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
