Recipients of citizen’s money should receive “start-up financing” when they go to work. However, the traffic light plans are very controversial.
Another dispute has broken out over citizens’ money. This time it’s about the federal government’s planned “start-up financing” of 1,000 euros for long-term unemployed people who take on a job subject to social security contributions. The plans are met with resistance.
“The 1,000-euro bonus is sheer mockery for those who have been doing their job for years. The traffic light endangers social peace and thus pours even more fuel on the fire,” said CSU General Secretary Martin Huber to the “Bild” newspaper. The Federal Ministry of Economics, however, defended the bonus.
On Wednesday, the cabinet decided to tighten the rules for citizens’ benefit recipients. If they refuse to work, they will soon face higher penalties. Part of the regulations is also so-called start-up financing. Long-term unemployed people who have been employed in a job subject to social insurance contributions for more than twelve months should be able to receive a one-off payment of 1,000 euros.
The Green Bundestag member and social politician Frank Bsirske also rejects the project. “I don’t think the bonus is necessary. The vast majority of people on citizen’s benefit take a job anyway if they have the chance,” he told “Bild”. The FDP budget politician Frank Schäffler told the newspaper: “The project is absurd. Expenses are already exploding. The bonus must be stopped in the Bundestag.”
Taking up work is often unattractive for recipients of citizens’ benefit
The Federal Ministry of Economics defended the project. The ministry of Robert Habeck (Greens) emphasized that it was about regular, unsubsidized employment relationships. The financing is intended as an incentive to find employment that secures a living. In addition, the bonus should provide a counterweight to the loss of state benefits when starting work. “Employments with lower incomes are becoming unattractive due to high deductions from citizens’ benefit, child allowances and housing benefits,” it said. The problem is difficult to mitigate within the framework of current case law. The ministry claims that the bonus saves the state money.
Source: Stern
