Main German union body wants equal status for all refugees


The DGB main German union confederation has called for all those seeking sanctuary in Germany to have the same rights as those fleeing the war in Ukraine.


Head of the DGB Yasmin Fahimi, pointed to “this system which differentiates between basic security benefits [as received by Ukrainians] and the benefits for asylum seekers [as received by everyone else]”.


She called for a fundamental revision in the system which, she argued, should be based on the approach taken to Ukrainian refugees. 


The around 800,000 who have moved to Germany have a right to work and, in principle, can access the same labour market support, such as unemployment benefits and help with job search, as existing inhabitants.


Asylum seekers, in contrast, receive a set level of benefits which are significantly lower. And although they are able to work, this must be authorised by the state employment agency, and they must wait for at least three months before this authorisation can be issued. 


The largest number of those seeking asylum come from Syria and Afghanistan, together accounting for 44% of the total.


As well as calling for better treatment for asylum seekers, Fahimi urged the government to deal with the bureaucratic obstacles facing Ukrainian refugees.