As of: March 13, 2024, 7:19 p.m
By: Veronika Ahn-Tauchnitz
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Josef Niedermaier is the district administrator in the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district.
© Arndt Pröhl
Josef Niedermaier follows the debate about a payment card and compulsory work for asylum seekers.
However, according to the Tölz district administrator, both are complex issues.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen – A lot is currently being discussed about asylum seekers, a lot is in flux.
The introduction of an obligation for refugees to do community service and the issuing of a payment card that is intended to replace some of the cash benefits recently caused greater excitement.
Federal government decides on framework conditions for payment cards
At the beginning of March, the Federal Cabinet decided to change the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.
As required by the federal states, this is intended to create a uniform framework for introducing such a payment card.
The Bundestag will now deal with the draft law.
“So far, refugees living in shared accommodation should primarily receive benefits in kind.
People who live outside of community facilities primarily receive cash,” explains the federal government.
What this primarily means is that this type of support is the first choice, but other forms of support are also possible.
The legal reform would give states and municipalities more options as to how they can provide the services.
Tölzer District Administrator Niedermaier is following the discussion with interest
We are of course following the discussion, says District Administrator Josef Niedermaier when asked.
But you have to be careful.
“The topic is complex and cannot simply be implemented casually,” he says.
“There are a few hurdles that have to be overcome when it comes to payment cards.
I always refer to that.”
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Above all, you have to keep an eye on the fees.
Because it cannot be the case that these have to be borne by the acceptance points - supermarkets, other shops and institutions.
“I’m very excited to see how this will be regulated in detail,” says Niedermaier.
“And to believe that you could use a payment card to tell someone who can buy what – to claim that is dishonest and, in my opinion, not in accordance with the law.”
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“A regulated daily routine with tasks and structure makes sense”
Niedermaier finds the issue of the obligation to work for asylum seekers to be similarly complex.
The district administrator of the Thuringian district of Saale-Orla was recently in the headlines here.
According to his plan, refugees should do simple work for four hours a day, mainly in their shared accommodation.
There are 80 cents per hour for this.
If you refuse to work, you should face financial sanctions.
“As far as work obligations are concerned, I am absolutely of the opinion that a regular daily routine with tasks and structure makes sense,” says Niedermaier, but adds: “With respect, that should largely apply to everyone.”
Since 2015, a number of programs have been launched in the job center “which are intended to get refugees into work.
“We also readjusted things here,” reports the district administrator.
Ultimately, it's all about what the practical implementation should look like.
“Because simply assigning random people to an organization or activity and then saying: 'Let's do it' won't work.
You need guidance and consistency.”
Niedermaier demands: “The traffic light parties must finally get this started.”
In general, the district administrator emphasized once again at the Lenggries citizens' meeting, things would not work in Germany without immigration.
Baby boomer generations are retiring, very small cohorts are moving up.
“Trying to solve the shortage of skilled workers through refugees will not work,” said Niedermaier.
Rather, what is needed is a “smart immigration policy”.
“Immigration policy must be designed in such a way that we are attractive as an immigration country” – especially for those people who are needed.
“The traffic light parties finally have to get this started.”
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