Citizenship benefit reform on the way in Germany

Germany is planning significant changes to its social welfare system. Minister of Economy Katherina Reiche announced that the social welfare benefit known as the 'Citizenship Benefit' will be restructured due to rising costs.

It was stated that approximately 46.9 billion euros were spent from the state budget for this benefit last year.

In a statement made after visiting a semiconductor manufacturer in Dresden, Minister Reiche emphasized that working must be made more advantageous than staying at home.

"Employees need to feel that they earn more than those who do not work," said Reiche, adding that everyone capable of participating in the labor market should work.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO UKRAINIAN REFUGEES?

Minister Reiche did not comment on the proposal by Bavarian State Premier Markus Söder to remove Ukrainian refugees from the 'Citizenship Benefit' scheme. Söder had demanded that lower amounts of aid be provided to Ukrainian refugees.

Saxony State Premier Michael Kretschmer, on the other hand, stated that the participation of Ukrainians in the labor market is higher in other European countries and that this issue should be handled calmly. Kretschmer said, "Those who can work must work, but support will not be cut for those in need of help."