Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) implemented the switch from newly arrived Ukrainian refugee benefits to the asylum seeker benefits agreed in the coalition agreement, but considered the new regulations a mistake. “I don’t like it, I will say it openly,” one SPD leader said Wednesday in a government survey in the Bundestag. He still believes that integration through language acquisition and courses is the right thing because this is more effective and sustainable in the labor market. However, the changes were agreed to in the coalition agreement, “and we will now implement them”.
In August, Bas submitted a draft law for changes to the jurisdiction, which the European Union has confirmed in coalition talks. The cabinet is expected to approve the draft next week.
As a result of these changes, Ukrainian citizens who have come to Germany since April 1 2025 will no longer be under the responsibility of the work center that manages citizens’ money. Later, you will be looked after by an employment agency. However, direct access to the labor market remains, explained Bas. Consulting services and job offers may also continue to be used.
However, there is no longer a legal right to certain funding. “I regret it,” Bas said. However, a faster job placement approach known as “Jobturbo” has been very successful.
