BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Employer President Rainer Dulger is calling for further reforms following the planned change to citizens’ benefit. “The new basic security can only be a first building block in a comprehensive renewal of the welfare state,” said Dulger. “The German welfare state is a major construction site.”
The Federal Cabinet launched the new basic security benefit with a draft law from Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD). The 5.3 million recipients of citizen’s benefit face stricter rules. Most of the law is scheduled to come into force on July 1, 2026.
The draft will first be discussed in the Bundestag and Bundesrat. New disputes and changes are not excluded. There is resistance to the reform plans among the SPD base.
“Basic security should be immediately followed by the announced reform to strengthen work incentives,” said Dulger. “We need a system that rewards work. Today the combination of social benefits and part-time or mini-jobs is too attractive – that has to change.”
Dulger: “If you need support, you will get it”
The black-red federal government has set up a welfare state commission. The coalition agreement states that many social services are inadequately coordinated. Benefits should be combined and better coordinated, for example by combining housing benefit and child allowance. “We want recipients of social benefits, especially basic security, to always have incentives to earn a higher income or to take up employment subject to social security contributions.”
Dulger went on to say that when it comes to basic security, the following should apply: “Anyone who needs support will get it – that’s what the welfare state is there for. But also: Anyone who can work must also work. And anyone who doesn’t cooperate or doesn’t show up for an appointment must expect consequences.” The new rules are not unreasonable, but rather a matter of course. If someone gets 563 euros a month and their apartment is paid for by the state, it should be normal for them to seriously try to get a job./hoe/DP/stk