STORY: This Wednesday was the first time that Andrea Nahles announced the current figures for the German labor market in her new role as head of the Federal Employment Agency. The number of unemployed in Germany rose to over 2.5 million in August. The good news is that the rising energy prices have so far caused few problems for the German labor market. However, the war in Ukraine is also having an impact on employment in Germany: “Despite the economic and political uncertainties, the labor market is still very robust. Unemployment and underemployment increased again in August more strongly than is usual for the time of year. However, this is still due to the Ukrainian refugees who are still being recorded. Employment subject to social security contributions continues to increase, while at the same time less and less short-time work is being used. She has ambitious plans for the conversion of her huge authority: “We simply have the ambition to make the BA really the most customer-friendly, most modern – including me personally as the responsible IT director – also the most digital authority in Germany. And in order to achieve that, there are many, many screws that we have to turn and against which we want to be measured over the next few years.” Higher unemployment is usual for August before the end of the summer holidays and the start of the new training year when the autumn boom sets in. According to Nahles, however, there are currently signs that the situation could deteriorate. In some regions there is a greater demand for advice on short-time work.