As of: February 16, 2024, 6:01 p.m
By: Lars-Eric Nievelstein
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It was only in the new year that the government adjusted the citizen's allowance.
The changes have drawn strong criticism.
Among others from “Arche” founder Bernd Siggelkow.
Berlin – “Citizens’ money is a crime against our children.” Bernd Siggelkow, founder of the aid organization “Arche”, criticized the current policy of the traffic light coalition with regard to citizens’ money in clear terms.
It was only at the beginning of the year that the federal government significantly increased the standard rate, which, among other things, led to Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) announcing a zero rate for 2025.
Siggelkow, on the other hand, is already calling for measures – and drastic ones.
Year of foundation of the Arche-Hilfswerk |
1995 |
|---|---|
Founder's name |
Bernd Siggelkow |
Sanctions for citizens' benefit recipients for the first breach of duty |
10 percent of your payment will be missed |
Standard rate of citizen's benefit for single people |
563 euros |
Citizens' allowance should not be increased - children are neglected
“Instead of raising the standard rate for all support recipients, the job center should take tougher action against slackers,” he told Bild.
People who can actually work, but repeatedly reject a job offer, “should have their citizen’s allowance and housing payments canceled.” In his opinion, the children are clearly neglected, but would rather earn the resources than the “zero in the mood” Living communities”.
Labor Minister Hubertus Heil is planning stricter sanctions for citizens' benefit recipients.
© IMAGO / dts news agency
In the current version, the citizen's benefit would evaluate and classify “the sick, the elderly, families with children and the lazy” equally.
That is wrong, Siggelkow even speaks of a “crime” against the children.
“This federal government subsidizes everything possible – and saves on the most important things,” criticizes the “Arche” founder.
These are the children.
He considers Christian Lindner's move to reduce support for children from twelve to two billion euros to be a "laughing stock".
Sanctions for recipients of citizens' money exist - implementation is questionable
Citizen benefit recipients can currently expect to lose ten percent of their money for a month if they breach their obligations.
If there are two breaches of duty, it is 20 percent for two months, the same principle applies if there are three breaches of duty - 30 percent losses for three months.
Among other things, reductions are planned for the following cases:
Failure to report (for example, not showing up at the job center at the agreed appointment)
Refusal of reasonable work
Termination of training
Rejection of a measure (application training)
Failure to comply with the cooperation plan
However, it is always up to the job center whether and to what extent the sanctions are used.
Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) is planning additional sanctions and cuts for citizens' benefit recipients who repeatedly refuse reasonable work.
Among other things, what is being discussed here is that the standard benefits will be canceled for two months.
Rainer Schlegel, judge and president of the Federal Social Court, is also critical of the January increase, but finds further adjustments to the law unnecessary.
He told the
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
that the necessary case law was already available.
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In the Bild interview, Siggelkow also criticized the traffic light government's migration policy.
“Integration doesn't mean that we open our borders, let everyone in and then end up with organizations like 'Arche',” complains Siggelkow.
“We must be able to guarantee the integration of refugees.
Municipalities are currently failing because of this.”
It is not the first time that the “Arche” founder has made critical comments about this.
Last fall, when the “Arche” reported on the Gaza Strip attack on Israel, Siggelkow stated that “more and more anti-Semitism” was evident among children with a migrant background.
The reason for this is “parents from other cultures” who were not properly informed.
“We experience anti-Semitism in schools because these children only grow up within clans and in ghettos.” Siggelkow called for additional commitment and more financial resources.
Otherwise, the social damage would cost Germany dearly.
The Christian children's and youth organization "Die Arche" has existed since 1995. Among other things, its goals are to draw the public's attention to social injustices in society and to permanently improve the living conditions of disadvantaged children and families.