The German Police Federation (Deutsche Polizeigewerkschaft, DPolG) has issued a scathing critique of Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s proposal to allow asylum seekers to begin working after just three months in the country. According to The “Bild” (Tuesday edition), DPolG chair Heiko Teggatz described the measure as incompatible with the government’s announced “asylum turnaround” and called it “a gift for the SPD”. He added that people entitled to subsidised protection or who have entered Germany from a safe third country, or originate from a safe home country, should never be subject to such a rule-because they have no prospect of permanent residency. Teggatz warned that the plan would further act as a pull factor that would undermine the government’s asylum strategy.
While acknowledging that a work permit itself would not automatically prevent extradition, Teggatz criticised the plan for its “unreliability” and what he saw as a disservice to both asylum seekers and employers. “It amounts to misleading them into believing that a work permit guarantees a permanent stay, when that can be rescinded on a whim” he said. He added that individuals who wish to work in Germany should instead apply for a legitimate work visa through foreign embassies and enter the country lawfully. He concluded that this principle should form the basis of any policy moving forward.
