Basic security: Job Center terminaries should feel consequences

Citizens’ allowance recipients who miss appointments at the job center should have to expect “noticeable consequences” in the future. Federal Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas announced this at the job center day in Berlin. The government wants to “go on the citizens’ money reform in the coalition agreement very quickly, but not overwhelmed,” said the SPD politician.

“Half of the appointments not perceived”

“It is not uncommon for half of the appointments not be noticed,” said Bas, even if this is different regionally. “I think we have to change that.” BAS said in front of hundreds of job center employees: “I want to address this problem by law so that they have a legally safe tool in the job centers against constant failures.”

If you are seriously looking for support and work, you have to participate. “An appointment in the job center must also be noticed – if not, it must also have noticeable consequences.” With a view to innovations in basic security, BAS assured: “We are now really working very quickly on a draft law.”

Performance withdrawal should be possible

In the coalition agreement, the Union and the SPD had announced, among other things, to exacerbate and demand duties and sanctions “in the interests of the principle”. In people who can work and repeatedly refuse to work, a complete deprivation of performance should be carried out.

Overall, according to the coalition agreement, the citizens’ allowance should be redesigned “into a new basic security for job seekers”. The citizens ‘allowance had only been introduced under Bas’ predecessor Hubertus Heil (SPD) in early 2023 and had replaced the previously colloquially called “Hartz IV”.

“Politically explosive topic”

BAS admitted that basic security remained “a politically explosive topic”. Your objective is: Less polarization, more pragmatism, more objectivity. There is a need for improvement. But what works and has proven itself should be retained. BAS called instruments such as coaching that would be very well received.

The Minister of Labor described that those affected were supervised holistically. Because if a person cannot work, there were often other problems behind it. At the same time, there is: “Even simple activities can be a springboard.” One of the tightening that the coalition plans is the planned abolition of the gentle on the company for assets that are counted. Bas confirmed that this maternity period should be changed.

It is central that people are motivated to grow out of basic security. The possibilities for digital application should be expanded.

A million refugees in progress

With a view to the refugees from Ukraine, BAS dealt with the coalition plans to treat those affected legally, like other job seekers, but to treat asylum seekers. BAS assured that the previous regulations would continue to apply until a new regulation was found. This “floating state” should soon end.

300,000 refugees from Ukraine and over 700,000 from other countries of asylum have now started a job. Bas: “This is a huge success.” Heil had started a “job turbo” for better opportunities.

For herself, “promotion through education” is a life topic, said the former Bundestag president.

Coalition agreement (p.16f.)