One of the EU countries plans to introduce fines for refugees: how much will they have to pay and for what

Germany has registered a new draft law that provides for fines for unemployed refugees (30% of payments) for refusing to work or missing meetings at employment centers. At the same time, the government is introducing integration internships for refugees.

This was reported by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Germany. One of the key aspects of the new draft law is to strengthen financial sanctions for those who receive state social assistance but refuse to accept jobs or training programs without valid reasons.

According to the new rules, such individuals will face a 30% reduction in social benefits within three months.The requirements for attending employment centers are also being tightened.

If an unemployed person misses an appointment for a consultation or other meeting without a valid reason, their social benefits will be cut by 30% for one month. For comparison, previously the penalty for such a refusal was only 10%. "The new legislation aims not only to reduce dependence on social benefits, but also to stimulate active job search," the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs said.

Another important change is the strengthening of the fight against undeclared labor. Employment centers will now be legally obliged to report to the customs administration any suspicions of illegal work among those receiving state aid. Illegal labor remains one of the main problems in the country, as it not only leads to losses for the state budget, but also creates unfair conditions in the labor market for those who work officially.

The new reform also introduces rules regarding the maximum time that people can spend commuting to work. If the working day does not exceed six hours, the one-way commute should be no more than 2.5 hours. For those who work full time, this time is increased to three hours. "Such changes should help employees better balance their work and personal lives, reducing the impact of long commutes on their health and efficiency," – explains a government official.

The new bill also aims to support the integration of refugees into German society and the labor market. Integration internships are being introduced to allow refugees to more easily adapt to new conditions and gain the necessary skills for employment. In addition, employers will receive subsidies if they provide refugees with the opportunity to take professional language courses, freeing them from work for this period.

The bill drafted by the German government still needs to be approved by the parliament, but it is expected to be passed by the end of the year. If this happens, the new rules will come into effect at the beginning of next year, making the German labor market more transparent and fair for all participants. "These changes will contribute to a better organization of employment, reduce the abuse of social benefits and improve the integration of vulnerable groups," the German Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs summarizes.

As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, as of July 2024, 266 thousand Ukrainian refugees have found jobs in Germany, but only 213 thousand of them have stable employment with social contributions. Although this is significant progress, many Ukrainians remain in part-time or low-paid positions.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!