The Green Party has cautioned that Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s “so‑fort‑in‑work” plan for asylum seekers may be a deceptive manoeuvre.
Marcel Emmerich, the Bundestag’s spokesperson for the Interior Committee, told the “Rheinische Post” (Monday edition) that the current initiative should be approached with caution. He questioned whether all affected people are really meant to be allowed to work, or whether large groups will again be excluded.
Emmerich pointed out a clear contradiction in the minister’s stance: on the one hand he talks about easing access to the labour market, on the other hand he is tightening restrictions on integration courses that are essential for language acquisition and long‑term integration. “This policy does not fit together” the interior‑expert said.
According to Dobrindt, asylum seekers would be permitted to work after just three months of residence in Germany, even if their asylum application has not yet been decided. However, no work obligation would be imposed. A spokesperson for the minister added that the new rules do not alter the procedures or outcomes of the asylum process.