As of: March 2, 2024, 6:01 a.m
By: Robin Dittrich, Kilian Bäuml
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The debate about citizens' money is heating up people's minds.
A theologian calls recipients 'parasites' and accuses them of exploiting the system.
Bremen - The debate about the citizen's allowance being increased in 2024 is a controversial topic in Germany.
While some see it as necessary support, others question why the recipients are not working.
This question was controversially discussed on the Stern TV program on February 21st.
The theologian Bernd Siggelkow, founder of the Christian children's and youth organization “Die Arche”, expressed a critical opinion.
Before the broadcast, RTL conducted a survey in which almost 10,000 people took part.
The central question was: “Does citizen’s money tempt people to do nothing?” The result was clear: almost 95 percent of those surveyed were of the opinion that citizen’s money tempts them to do nothing, only five percent voted against it.
You can use an online tool to calculate how much citizen’s money you are entitled to.
Citizens' money debate: 'parasites' or necessary social assistance?
Siggelkow, who founded “Die Arche” in 1995, expresses criticism of basic child welfare and citizen’s allowance in his latest book “The Crime Against Our Children”.
He claims: “There are many people who are wholeheartedly unemployed, who don’t want to work even though they can.” He describes these people as “parasites” who cast a negative image on those who cannot work and receive citizen's benefit.
In his opinion, someone who turns down multiple job offers should not be paid the same as a single mother who cannot work.
Many politicians share this view.
Many politicians also agree with the theologian's opinion.
Citizens' money is being discussed controversially, and a theologian voices strong criticism on the Stern TV program.
(Symbolic image) © Sina Schuldt/dpa
Marcus Weichert, managing director of the Dortmund job center, was the second guest on the show and had a different opinion.
He emphasized: “People need individual help in their individual situation.” He was of the opinion that one should not generalize all recipients of citizens’ benefit.
Citizens' money 2024: controversial topic with high explosive content
Siggelkow admitted that those who could work but don't want to represent a minority among the citizens' benefit recipients: "Maybe four to five percent." Nevertheless, they should not be ignored just because they are a minority: "There are a small proportion of people who take advantage of the system.” He suggested that housing costs should no longer be covered if job offers are rejected: “It is better to support work than support unemployment.”
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According to the Federal Employment Agency, around 5.5 million people in Germany currently receive citizen's benefit.
Of these, 1.55 million people are not able to work and are therefore not allowed to work.
This may be due to a disability, but many of the citizens' benefit recipients are simply too young - almost a quarter of them are children.
Of the approximately 3.9 million employable citizens' benefit recipients, 1.7 million are unemployed.
They could work, but they don't.
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