A recent study has revealed the significant impact of Germany’s “Jobturbo” initiative, designed to expedite the integration of refugees, particularly those from Ukraine, into the workforce. Published findings, detailed in a report by “Der Spiegel”, indicate the program, implemented since October 2023, has facilitated an additional 102,000 job placements – approximately 58,000 for Ukrainians and 44,000 for refugees from other nations.
The study, conducted by a team of international researchers affiliated with the Immigration Policy Lab at University College London, highlights that these were genuinely new entrants into the labor market, gains that would not have occurred without the targeted intervention. Critically, the positions secured were primarily subject to social security contributions and demonstrated a high rate of long-term retention. The program’s efficacy spanned diverse demographics, impacting all age groups, German states and encompassing both low- and high-skilled workers, without triggering concerns about the displacement of qualified individuals into lower-paying roles.
“We have been studying integration efforts by governments worldwide for 15 years” stated co-author Jens Hainmüller. “We’ve never observed such substantial effects as those generated by the Jobturbo.
The initiative represented a strategic shift from Germany’s previous administration, the “traffic light” coalition. It prioritized increased referrals of Ukrainians to job centers, facilitating faster placement and providing opportunities for language improvement, vocational training and recognition of foreign qualifications.
However, the current black-red coalition government is now poised to effectively dismantle the program. A policy change set to take effect after March 31, 2025, stipulates that newly arriving Ukrainians will no longer be eligible for unemployment benefits (“Bürgergeld”), instead receiving benefits reserved for asylum seekers. This pivotal shift removes these individuals from the oversight of job centers and eliminates the government’s ability to mandate employment, training, or even mandatory consultation appointments.
The impending cessation of the Jobturbo has drawn criticism from labor market experts, who warn of a significant setback in refugee integration efforts. While the government frames the change as a necessary measure to control social welfare spending, concerns are rising that it will create a two-tiered system, potentially hindering the long-term economic and social inclusion of Ukrainian refugees and other vulnerable populations. The abrupt reversal also raises questions about the government’s commitment to consistent and data-driven policymaking, particularly given the program’s demonstrable success.