Government Commissioner for Migration and Integration, State Minister Natalie Pawlik (SPD), has sharply criticized the budget cuts proposed in the federal budget, accusing the ruling government of neglecting integration policy.
Speaking to Frankfurter Rundschau, Pawlik stated that she observes a growing failure to prioritize integration. She argues that this is a major mistake, as both increased skilled labor and successful integration are fundamental factors contributing to the nation’s economic output.
The proposed budget plan, initiated under Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), suggests reducing funding for integration courses from approximately one billion euros to just 600 million euros. Pawlik views this reduction as highly problematic, asserting that integration must be treated as essential for growth, prosperity, and maintaining social cohesion. She warned that saving money on integration ultimately costs the country far more in the long run.
Integration courses are crucial, providing immigrants with German language skills and foundational knowledge of German society. Pawlik warns that the consequences of these financial reductions could be devastating.
“Many providers currently operating in the integration course sector are considering stopping their work because they simply cannot finance it anymore,” Pawlik noted. She added that numerous newcomers will lose access to language acquisition, necessitating a much longer path to entering the labor market, thus preventing genuine integration from succeeding.
In conclusion, Pawlik emphasized that the most effective integration strategy relies on solid labor market and education policies. Preserving these areas and, conversely, making cuts is, in her view, fatal.
