The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is advocating for the continued involvement of Job Centers in the integration and employment support for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Germany. Carsten Linnemann, the CDU’s General Secretary, voiced his position in a recent podcast with POLITICO, emphasizing the party’s commitment to facilitating swift employment for newcomers.
The discussion follows a coalition agreement stipulating that Ukrainian refugees newly arriving in Germany, or those who arrived since the beginning of April, will no longer be eligible for unemployment benefits (Bürgergeld). However, Linnemann explicitly rejected proposals suggesting a cessation of Job Center services for this population. He asserted that continued support and guidance from Job Centers are essential and inherently linked to the overall objective of successful integration.
Linnemann also urged for rapid reform of the Bürgergeld system – Germany’s unemployment benefit scheme. He expressed a sense of urgency, stating that prolonged debate has gone on for too long and immediate action is necessary. He highlighted the potential within the current system, citing an estimated 200,000 individuals within the Bürgergeld framework deemed immediately employable, with no apparent barriers to placement. According to Linnemann, this constitutes a readily available pool of individuals who could swiftly enter the workforce if the system is appropriately adjusted.
