As of: February 5, 2024, 3:36 p.m
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A debit card lies on a table.
© Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa
The payment card is intended to reduce possible incentives for illegal migration in Germany.
However, it remains to be seen whether it will be introduced across the board.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the municipalities should decide on this.
Düsseldorf - According to the state government, North Rhine-Westphalia's municipalities should decide on the introduction of the planned payment card for asylum seekers and also bear the resulting costs themselves.
There will be no obligation to join the municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia, said a spokeswoman for the State Chancellery on Monday.
The federal government will not contribute to the costs associated with the introduction of the payment card.
“There are no plans for the state to cover the costs incurred in the municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia - also in view of the relief associated with the introduction,” she explained.
WDR had previously reported.
The announcement by the black-green state government provoked criticism from the Association of Cities and Municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia.
“The state unilaterally created facts for the payment card without first discussing the framework conditions with the municipalities.
“This is more than disappointing,” said Managing Director Christof Sommer and added: “It is clear to us: If the federal and state governments decide to introduce a payment card, they must also cover the full costs.”
A payment card could help authorities and refugees if it is easy to use and reduces effort.
“There is a lot to be said for introducing them across the board.
Only then can it make a contribution to controlling migration.”
With the introduction of the payment card for refugees, asylum seekers will in future receive part of the state benefits as credit and no more as cash.
At the end of January, 14 of 16 federal states agreed on a joint procurement process that should be completed by the summer.
Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are going their own way, but also want to introduce a payment card.
Among other things, the card is intended to prevent refugees from transferring money to their family or friends abroad.
“In my view, this is a very important step to reduce incentives for illegal migration to Germany,” explained the Hessian Prime Minister and Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Conference, Boris Rhein (CDU).
When almost all states agreed on a procurement process, the Düsseldorf State Chancellery announced that North Rhine-Westphalia would take part in the joint tender.
Some of the unified standards contained options for country-specific adaptation.
Whether and to what extent such adjustments are made in North Rhine-Westphalia depends, among other things, on the technical possibilities or other actors, in particular the municipalities.
The FDP state parliamentary group criticized NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU).
“In Berlin he loudly demanded it, in North Rhine-Westphalia it is not happening across the board - Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst is taking a risky course with the payment card for refugees,” explained parliamentary group leader Henning Höne on Monday.
Instead of helping the municipalities, Wüst leaves the decision and financial burden to them.
“This U-turn on the joint decision by the heads of government of the federal states at the end of 2023 makes Wüst unbelievable,” emphasized the opposition politician.
In its reaction to the State Chancellery's statements, the Association of Cities and Municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia pointed out the already heavy burden on municipalities.
“The municipalities have been paying for the care and accommodation of refugees for far too long and are dependent on relief,” explained Sommer.
Additional tasks meant the opposite.
The employees have also been working “at the limit for two years”.
dpa