Thousands of refugees are currently unable to access integration courses because the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has stopped issuing authorisations. The matter is under the responsibility of Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU. Natalie Pawlik, the federal government’s Commissioner for Migration and Integration from the SPD, strongly opposes this move in the “Frankfurter Rundschau”.
“Especially now, when many industries are short of workers, it is irresponsible to hinder people’s access to language and employment” she wrote in the Thursday edition. “Budgetary concerns must be examined, but cutting these services deliberately accepts slower integration. That is socially and politically wrong and disastrous for the labour market”.
The “Frankfurter Rundschau” reported on Wednesday that the federal government is trimming integration courses for newcomers, doing so without any prior announcement, explanation or consideration for the severe disruptions it will cause for course providers. Pawlik described the courses as a “central pillar of successful integration” and insisted that, if integration is taken seriously, motivated newcomers must not be left waiting. “People arriving in Germany should be able to join integration and language courses promptly” she said. “Many migrants from Ukraine and the EU are eager for that”. The courses enable participants to learn German, navigate daily life, and secure employment more quickly.
