The corona pandemic has exacerbated difficult life situations for many people. It is not easy for the employees of the social department to give them the help and support they need during this time. From the Berlin coalition, social affairs officer Dorothee Schiwy (SPD), 49, expects some improvements for the citizens, but the lawyer also has some wishes.
SZ: Are there working days in the social department after almost two years of a pandemic on which Corona does not play a role?
Dorothee Schiwy: Unfortunately not. Every day we are concerned with a topic provoked by Covid-19. In view of the omicron variant and the expected fifth wave that is rolling towards us, it will be more difficult. Sometimes there is not an hour that one does not deal in some way with the pandemic and its consequences. This is dramatic because we can hardly pursue long-term strategies outside of the Covid issue. We are very focused on crisis management.
Who are the consequences of the pandemic affecting most?
Our main task is to create social participation. It’s pretty difficult at the moment – in all situations. Covid-19 works like a magnifying glass: Every problem that we had in Munich before the pandemic has been exacerbated by Covid-19. The fear of loneliness has grown in older people. Or the rental problem, which affects almost our entire population: Many are not financially good enough to be able to pay their rents, which exacerbates the problems with short-time work and job loss. Corona is also present in the event of separation and divorce, with all the effects on the children, on custody and access rights. Then there are the financial worries of a separation. If the parents are not doing well, then the children are not doing well either. In every problematic situation in life, the pandemic exacerbates the situation.
In view of the difficult budget situation, can the social department still adequately respond to this?
We have a diametrically divergent development: an enlargement and multiplication of our tasks, in some cases a tripling of applications for housing benefit, for applications for social housing and for insolvency and debt counseling. On the other hand, we have actually reduced the workforce because we have not been able to fill vacancies since the beginning of the year due to our personnel cost deficit. There is great concern among the workforce that they will no longer be able to cope with their work and that they will make mistakes because of the constant pressure. The multi-problem situations that arose under Corona are a great challenge, as we would need even more manpower and opportunities to counter them. Our employees are inspired by the idea of supporting our people. We have achieved a lot, such as the central service number that puts all people in touch where they can be heard. We were able to help out with the shopping service during the lockdown.
Is there any hope of relief?
I have the feeling that the problems in the social area are also seen in the town hall. In connection with the budget consolidation, we have certainly experienced some relief, which was due to the fact that the green-red city government attaches great importance to a good social infrastructure. Munich is only so far ahead in the Federal Republic because it has invested in the social sector over the years.
Your first term of office as social officer ends in the middle of next year. What motivates you to compete for another six years in such difficult times?
My motivation comes from the enthusiasm to have the opportunity to use my labor, my creativity and my ideas for the Munich population, especially to support the weak. Regardless of whether or not with a pandemic.
The Berlin coalition wants to replace Hartz IV with a citizen’s money. What does this mean for the around 50,000 adult benefit recipients in Munich?
I hope that people will really take a look at how the individual costs of living are in the metropolitan areas. The standard rates are far too low for cities like Munich, we need adequate protection to enable the population to participate. The announced generous regulation for the first two years of citizens’ allowance, such as no crediting of assets and no verification of whether the size of the apartment is appropriate, is a big step in the right direction.
There is nothing in the coalition agreement about a surcharge for regions with increased cost of living, nor is there anything to be found about the reintroduction of one-off services, such as the purchase of household appliances or glasses.
No. These are exactly the points where it would be really important for the large municipalities to be heard by the federal government about planning.
What do you expect from basic child benefits?
Above all, I would like services to be bundled so that it becomes easier for parents – for example with disabled children – to receive the services. There must be no more bureaucracy madness, where different contact points have to be consulted and different applications have to be made.
Improvements in the basic security in old age, however, are not planned. At the same time, spending on health and mobility increases in old age. Setting aside money from the standard rate for new glasses is almost impossible.
In Munich in particular, the standard rate is far too low. People shouldn’t have to hope for support from foundation funds or donations like those from the SZ advent calendar. The more correct way would be for the legislature to design the rule sets in such a way that they enable an adequate life. That should apply to medical care, but also to cultural participation.
What does the minimum wage of twelve euros bring? Can that really be the last word for Munich?
I see that as the last word because it is an agreement between the coalition partners. Different interests played a role, so I’m glad that it turned out to be twelve euros. In metropolitan areas with high cost of living, this is not enough.
Is the Berlin coalition’s housing program enough?
I see it as a step in the right direction. The goal of building 400,000 apartments, 100,000 of which are publicly funded, is a bright spot on the horizon. The mandatory qualified rent index in cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants with a period of seven years is also a step in the right direction. And beyond that, there are still a few things that I would like: Unfortunately, the coalition agreement completely lacks the deletion of the exceptions to the rent brake, the time limit for the modernization surcharge and a land price brake. The provisions on usury of rent and terminations for personal use should also be better drafted so that tenants can defend themselves against them.
In view of the enormous tasks involved in climate protection, does social policy still play an essential role at all?
Basically, social policy and climate protection go hand in hand with one another. The poor will suffer most from the effects of climate change. This is already the case in many parts of the world. At the same time, one has to ensure that the urgently necessary climate change can be achieved without dumping the effects primarily on the weakest links in a society. For example, when entire branches of industry are dissolved and the jobs there disappear. Climate and social policy must be well interlinked.