Asylum seekers
Schulze: Benefits in kind involve a lot of bureaucratic effort
“We have to fight the causes of flight, not refugees. Nobody flees voluntarily,” says Development Minister Svenja Schulze. photo
© Britta Pedersen/dpa
The FDP and the Union had recently called for benefits in kind instead of cash for asylum seekers. The development minister is critical of this – but at the same time points out that this is already possible in the countries.
Development Minister Svenja Schulze sees a conversion of money into… Benefits in kind for asylum seekers critical. “Provisions in kind require a lot of bureaucratic effort. That’s why it’s hardly ever done,” the SPD politician told “Bild am Sonntag”.
The switch to benefits in kind is already possible today. “Every federal state can decide that. Why doesn’t the Union do it where it governs?” asked Schulze. FDP and Union politicians had called for benefits in kind instead of cash for asylum seekers in order to reduce incentives for entry into Germany.
Schulze: Fight the causes of flight, not refugees
When asked whether the EU’s external borders needed to be better protected, Schulze said: “We have to fight the causes of flight, not refugees. Nobody flees voluntarily.” According to the minister, the EU should therefore not invest in border protection alone. There is also a need for programs that ensure that more people do not have to leave their country in the first place or that they can find refuge in a neighboring country under decent conditions.
Schulze appeared open to the idea of requiring asylum seekers to do community service work. “We should seriously discuss ideas that promote integration. In principle, I think it makes sense if refugees are not condemned to do nothing,” she said. Stopping people from working doesn’t make them feel better. “Most people want to get involved here as quickly as possible,” said the minister.
The SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil had also shown himself willing to talk about the Union’s initiative to require asylum seekers to do community service during their procedure. Austria is already planning this. CSU boss Markus Söder has announced a corresponding program.