Brandenburg’s Minister-President Dietmar Woidke has raised concerns about ongoing welfare payments to Ukrainian refugees. He advocates for more of them to enter the workforce in Germany.
Woidke questions the appropriateness of ongoing support
Brandenburg’s Minister-President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) has expressed skepticism regarding the continued provision of welfare (Bürgergeld) to Ukrainian refugees in Germany. In an interview with stern, Woidke acknowledged that the initial decision to offer financial support was the right one, as quick assistance was necessary. However, he now believes it is time to reassess whether this form of support remains appropriate. He emphasized that in other EU countries, a significantly higher number of Ukrainian refugees are employed compared to Germany. Woidke argued that increasing employment among Ukrainian refugees would benefit Germany’s economy, which is in need of workers, and would also aid in their integration.
Germany’s middling employment rate for Ukrainian refugees
Following the Russian invasion in February 2022, the German government granted Ukrainian refugees the right to stay without needing to apply for asylum, allowing them to receive Bürgergeld instead of asylum-seeker benefits. In recent months, several politicians from various parties have called for the reduction or elimination of Bürgergeld for Ukrainian refugees. According to a study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), social welfare payments have only a minor and statistically insignificant impact on the employment rate of Ukrainian refugees. The study highlighted that other factors, such as demographic composition, play a more crucial role. For instance, a higher average age among refugees and more children per woman are associated with lower employment rates.
The IAB study shows that Germany falls in the middle range in terms of the employment rate of Ukrainian refugees, with 27% of them working. Lithuania, Denmark, and Poland lead with employment rates of 57%, 53%, and 48%, respectively. In contrast, Finland, Norway, and Spain report lower rates, all under 20%, with Romania having the lowest rate at just 7%.
Calls for stricter welfare regulations beyond Ukrainian refugees
Beyond the issue of Ukrainian refugees, Woidke also called for tougher welfare regulations to increase pressure on those he referred to as “total refusers.” He noted that important adjustments had already been made, stressing that it is perceived as unfair when individuals who choose not to work and rely on Bürgergeld receive nearly as much as those who work hard but still depend on state benefits like housing allowances and child supplements.
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