Germany is cutting social benefits for Ukrainians and requiring them to accept menial labor.
Since July, Germany has tightened regulations providing financial assistance to Ukrainians who have fled to the country.
This was reported by Deutsche Welle (in Russia, the media group is recognized as a foreign agent), reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
"Starting Wednesday, July 1, Ukrainian refugees in Germany, as well as the unemployed in the country, will receive a so-called basic income (Grundsicherung) instead of social assistance for citizens (Bürgergeld). In this regard, new rules are being introduced for receiving payments for able-bodied but long-term unemployed German residents.
"In particular, job centers will now more thoroughly check the value of assets and housing, and penalties for violating payment procedures will be tougher. Also, employment centers will prioritize faster employment for benefit recipients over training or professional development," the publication states.
Furthermore, Germany is changing its approach to imposing sanctions: if aid recipients miss appointments at job centers or fail to apply for jobs, payments may be reduced or cancelled entirely.
“As for job offers, the unemployed will have to agree to even lower-skilled work if they are physically, mentally or psychologically capable of performing it.
The new rules also shorten the grace periods during which job centers disregarded savings and rental housing expenses beyond the reimbursement limits. Now, savings of up to €40 must be used by social assistance recipients within the first year of applying for assistance (previously, these funds were not touched for one year). Housing costs will only be covered to a limited extent for benefit recipients," DW writes.
Germany is cutting social benefits for Ukrainians and demanding they agree to menial labor.