Heil welcomes change in refugee funding
Created: 04/08/2022Updated: 04/08/2022 06:13
Welcomes the state support for refugees from Ukraine: Labor Minister Hubertus Heil.
© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Preparations are being made for refugees from Ukraine to stay longer in Germany, said Labor Minister Heil.
The change in funding now makes it easier to get to work.
Berlin - Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) has welcomed the switch from state support for Ukrainian refugees to basic security as a step towards possible integration.
"We opened up our labor market right from the start and are thus pragmatically making it easier for refugees to find work," Heil told the German Press Agency in Berlin.
"That makes sense, because given Putin's terrible war of aggression, we are preparing for the fact that many refugees will stay longer."
The federal and state governments had decided on Thursday evening that war refugees would receive basic security from June 1, such as Hartz IV recipients.
So far, they have received lower benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.
Reason for the change: Since they are directly entitled to a residence permit, there is no need to wait for a decision as is the case with asylum seekers.
In addition to more money and better access to medical care, responsibilities are changing.
In the future, the job centers will be the central point of contact - if necessary also for job placement.
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Heil said that the EU had taken care of residence and protection in Europe.
Good social care is also important.
"That's why I'm glad we decided that those who come to us will be looked after by the job centers in the future," said Heil.
"Social support, job placement, support with childcare and psychosocial offers come from a single source."
Heil emphasized that the previous benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act were financed by the federal states.
The basic security systems responsible in the future would be financed primarily by the federal government.
"We can't answer the question about the costs exactly because we don't know how many people will come to us because of this terrible war," said Heil.
"There are probably more than eight million on the run, most of them still in Ukraine or in neighboring countries like Moldova or Poland."
To date, more than 315,000 refugees have been registered in Germany.
"It is the sensible way for the federal government to support the states and municipalities with the costs of social security," said Heil.
dpa
