Labor market policy
Scholz: “We were all born to work”

Actually, everyone should want to work, says the Chancellor. photo
© Christophe Gateau/dpa
The planned 1,000 euro bonus for long-term unemployed people who take a job is also controversial within the traffic light. Now the Chancellor speaks out.
The planned bonus of 1,000 euros for starting a job “may not be of any use,” said Scholz. “But it doesn’t do any harm either.” Of course, people who went to work every morning and didn’t get a bonus were now upset.
Last week, the cabinet decided to tighten the rules for citizens’ benefit recipients. If they refuse to work, they will soon face higher penalties. Part of the regulations is also so-called start-up financing. Long-term unemployed people who have been employed in a job subject to social insurance contributions for more than twelve months should be able to receive a one-off payment of 1,000 euros. The regulation is scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2025.
There was also criticism of the project within the ranks of the traffic light coalition. On Monday, however, a government spokeswoman emphasized that the federal government would stick to the plans.