With citizens’ money behind them, Germany’s job centers want to get started and improve their miserable reputation. A site visit to Berlin.
That’s not how she imagined it. Not so quiet, not so friendly. “It’s really bright here,” says the young woman, surprised. She sits down in the corner of a dark blue sofa in the job center’s conference room and starts tapping her foot nervously.
The woman is in her late 20s and has a bachelor’s degree in fashion design. Unemployed. She has just handed in her citizen’s benefit application in the reception area. Marco Backs sits down opposite her in a light green armchair – dressed sportily in jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers. The job center employee looks after people who come to work for the first time. “New customers,” as he calls them. “Tell me, why are you here at the job center?” She didn’t expect that either. “What, can I just tell you first?”
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
