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Social policy: Heil: G7 labor markets should offer protection to refugees

Social policy: Heil: G7 labor markets should offer protection to refugees

Professional integration of refugees, protection against inflation for people with little money, digitization of industry – the G7 labor ministers had a long list of issues.

Refugees from Ukraine should receive the most comprehensive protection possible in the labor markets and social systems of the G7 countries.

It is important to him that all leading Western industrialized countries have acknowledged this, said Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil after consultations with his colleagues in Wolfsburg on Tuesday. The aim is “decent, fair and good” treatment – which can also include further steps if necessary or in the case of longer stays.

“We want them to be well cared for, also in terms of medical care,” says Heil. “And we will remove very practical barriers.” He referred, for example, to the recognition of qualifications, help with childcare or language courses.

Heil had already agreed that many war refugees might stay longer in Germany and look for permanent jobs. The subject has now also been discussed in the G7 framework. The results of this and other questions should flow into the preparations for the summit at the end of June at Schloss Elmau in Bavaria.

Heil thinks of “permanent relief mechanisms”

In the VW city of Wolfsburg, the responsible ministers also discussed changes in the world of work, climate and health protection, and the consequences of inflation. Heil demanded that losses in the standard of living and possible social consequences would have to be cushioned, especially for those on low incomes, pensioners and people in the basic security systems.

To this end, a number of things have been set in motion in Germany with the relief packages. On July 1st there should be the strongest pension increase in decades. “But if prices remain high in the long term, we will have to find permanent relief mechanisms.”

The heads of department exchanged ideas about methods for securing the labor markets, such as the German short-time allowance. Basic standards for supply chains were also an issue. It was agreed that human rights protection rules, such as those in the supply chain law, should now also be formally raised at the G7 level, said Heil – especially with regard to the outlawing of child and forced labor. “There are many companies that care. But there are also some who don’t care, “said Heil. “This conference succeeded in putting the topic on the international agenda.”

EU Social Affairs Commissioner Nicolas Schmit also took part. In the future, the labor ministers of the G7 want to meet regularly.

Source: Stern

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