Korntal-Münchingen: Asylum seekers on duty for 80 cents per hour!

Korntal-Münchingen: Asylum seekers on duty for 80 cents per hour!

In the city of Korntal-Münchingen, there is discussion about offering refugees unskilled jobs. The proposal, proposed by the CDU parliamentary group, stipulates that asylum seekers work for 80 cents per hour. This proposal was unanimously accepted by the local council and the city administration was commissioned to examine the possibilities of employing refugees in accordance with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. Oliver Nauth, parliamentary group leader of the CDU, said that such work assignments could promote the daily structure, access to the language and the integration and participation of asylum seekers. The initiative is reminiscent of similar measures in Kornwestheim and Freiberg am Neckar, where similar models have already been implemented to enable refugees to participate in society while at the same time receiving minimal remuneration.

The Asylum Seekers Benefits Act provides for such work opportunities for those who are able to work but are not entitled to benefits. This ensures that refugees can be obliged to take up non-profit work opportunities. While the CDU's initiative has met with broad support, there are also critical voices. Harald Wagner, parliamentary group leader of the Green Party in Korntal-Münchingen, describes the wage of 80 cents per hour as “unworthy” and calls for more appropriate remuneration. In addition, he calls for the activities for refugees to be made more diverse.

Criticism and support

Opinion about such job offers is divided. Marianne Neuffer, leader of the Free Voters, sees the opportunity for asylum seekers to work as positive and sees it as an opportunity for integration. Mayor Alexander Noak has already confirmed the city administration's initial considerations on this issue. The approaches in Kornwestheim and Freiberg have led to the Ludwigsburg district administration also wanting to take action and planning to encourage asylum seekers to take up work in the region. Over 3,000 people in the district receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, of which more than 1,000 are potentially eligible for such work opportunities.

In Germany, the debate about the obligation of asylum seekers to work is becoming increasingly controversial. While Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil considers the possibility of compulsory work under certain circumstances to be useful, SPD leader Saskia Esken rejects this and points to failed measures for the long-term unemployed. Critics of compulsory work, such as the human rights organization Pro Asyl, see this as an exploitative practice and warn of possible inhumane consequences. At the same time, access to the German labor market for newly arrived refugees is under great pressure. As a rule, asylum seekers are only allowed to work after three months, and in reception centers even after nine months.

The discussion about the legal framework and the ethical aspects of taking up work for asylum seekers remains tense. When it comes to a possible move towards compulsory work, differences can be observed between the federal states and municipalities, which generate both support and opposition. The situation in Korntal-Münchingen is an example of this complex issue.