In light of the Federal Government’s announced action plan against the abuse of social benefits, Achim Brötel, President of the German District Council, is calling for a tightening of the European definition of a worker. Brötel argues that this measure is necessary to reduce the incentives for immigration into the existing social systems. Speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, Brötel stated, “The freedom of workers’ movement is a valuable asset. However, it must not lead to a minimal ‘Minijob’ becoming a gateway to the German social welfare state.”
He criticized the current situation, stating that it is unacceptable for even very marginal employment to grant access to supplementary social benefits in Germany. “Access to essential social provisions must be linked to sustainable employment, not merely subordinate work,” Brötel insisted, adding that better European regulations are required to achieve this.
