Just before the Bundestag’s final vote on reforming the Bürgergeld into basic security, the Social Association Germany (SoVD) voiced strong criticism of the draft legislation.
Michaela Engelmeier, the SoVD’s chair, told the Funke Media Group newspapers that the new basic security system has many flaws, particularly in the area of housing costs. She also warned that the key tool for re‑entering the workforce-training and qualifications-would be rolled back, falling behind simple job placement. “We fear that ‘demand before support’ will become the new default at job centres” she said.
In addition, Engelmeier noted that training programmes would only be available in “exceptional circumstances” and only for people under 30, describing the policy as age‑discriminatory. She also criticised the measures that weaken protection for vulnerable groups.
Overall, she argued that a disproportionate number of legitimate recipients will now be penalised for the misconduct of less than one percent of the population. “The new basic security effectively punishes everyone with a broad‑stroke approach” Engelmeier added.