The increases in welfare benefits brought about a change of perception about work among the Germans. In a poll by the INSA Institute on behalf of the BILD newspaper, it emerges that more than half of Germans think it’s no longer worth workingfollowing the new increases in welfare benefits.
According to the research, 52% of respondents say there is no incentive to work for a full-time minimum wage worker, as he does not ultimately earn much more than the unemployed living on the related benefits. Germans also seem divided on whether the increases decided by the government are right or not. 45% approve them, while 44% consider them unjustified.
In the 2024 budget, the basic unemployment benefit increases from 502 to 563 euros for unemployed single without children. Increases are also given to low-income parents, who from the general allowance of 250 euros for each child, as is currently the case, will receive, from 2025, 636 euros for the first child and 530 for each child thereafter. With the minimum wage at 1450 euros (net amount)full-time minimum wage work is no longer considered sufficiently attractive by many.
“It is our priority to maintain motivation to work. Employment will be a condition for some of the benefits, precisely because parental unemployment is an important factor that leads to children below the poverty line,” said Finance Minister Christian Lindner, defending the government’s decisions.
Source: News Beast
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