The conservative opposition in Germany is proposing mandatory employment as a condition for Ukrainians to receive social assistance. The first precedent has already been set in the city of Schwerin, where social assistance recipients are required to perform socially useful work.
The conservative opposition in the Bundestag, represented by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), advocates for mandatory employment for individuals receiving social support.
Thorsten Frei, parliamentary secretary of the CDU/CSU faction, stated that able-bodied individuals receiving state benefits should work. According to him, this approach would make the social welfare system fairer and more efficient.
Frei emphasized that receiving social assistance should entail fulfilling certain obligations to society. “Otherwise, people with low and medium incomes who support themselves may feel disadvantaged in their rights,” he noted. The politician also proposed renaming the current social assistance program Bürgergeld to a “new basic income” and limiting it to those genuinely in need. Stricter sanctions could be introduced for individuals who refuse to work.
Frei highlighted that the idea of mandatory work for social benefit recipients has already been tested in certain parts of Germany. In some areas of Thuringia, asylum seekers have been engaged in public work, yielding positive results.
A similar initiative was recently implemented in Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. On January 6, the city council, by majority vote, approved a CDU proposal requiring social assistance recipients to engage in public service. Under the adopted measures:
- Social assistance recipients must perform socially useful work in non-profit institutions such as kindergartens, clubs, and schools.
- Payment for such work will range from 1 to 2 euros per hour.
- Those who refuse to participate may face reduced social assistance payments.
This marks the first instance in Germany where legislation mandates work not only for asylum seekers but also for citizens receiving social benefits. Previously, similar rules in Schwerin applied only to refugees.
CDU politicians view mandatory work as a tool for the long-term employment of citizens. The idea is to engage individuals in work, helping them acquire skills and integrate into the labor market. According to Thorsten Frei, this initiative could encourage unemployed individuals to actively seek permanent jobs while also reducing the financial burden on the state.
The CDU plans to present this proposal to the Bundestag in the near future. If approved, this practice could be expanded across Germany.
