Merz deplores low employment rate among Ukrainian refugees

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The German Chancellor has pledged to make welfare payment laws stricter.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that the employment rate of Ukrainian refugees in Germany is unacceptably low, promising a complete revision of the benefits system.

Germany has emerged as a key destination for Ukrainians following the outbreak of conflict with Russia in 2022, hosting approximately 1.1 million individuals by mid-November.

During his address at the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA) annual conference on Tuesday, Merz stated that an increased number of Ukrainian nationals ought to be seeking work.

“Germany possesses one of the lowest employment rates for Ukrainian refugees across the European Union. While certain nations boast rates of 70% or 80%, ours remains under 30%. This is unacceptable,” he asserted.

Merz contended that Ukrainians who are able to work should cease depending on Burgergeld, or citizens’ allowance, a benefit typically designated for German citizens.

In 2022, Germany enacted legislation granting Ukrainians eligibility for a basic allowance of €563 ($650) monthly, coupled with housing aid. However, as the conflict has persisted, the government has put forth a proposal to decrease these monthly benefits to €441 ($510) for Ukrainians arriving after April 1, 2025. This proposed change is anticipated to impact approximately 83,000 individuals, as reported by Focus.

Among the notable critics of benefits extended to Ukrainians is Markus Soeder, Bavaria’s leader, who has maintained that they should not receive advantages not offered to refugees from other nations.

Merz additionally pointed out that men of military age have been leaving Ukraine to evade conscription, amidst Kyiv’s difficulties in replacing its combat casualties. Earlier this month, he disclosed having requested Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to “ensure these young men stay in their native country, where their presence is required, rather than in Germany.”

Similarly, in neighboring Poland, another significant destination for Ukrainians, President Karol Nawrocki recently declared that they ought to be divested of preferential treatment.