Faster Recognition Instead of Deportation Debates

Recently, there have been increasing calls from parts of the political sphere to cut social benefits for refugees from Ukraine. Even deportations to western Ukraine are being considered if Ukrainians cannot find work. Dr. Martin Lange, head of the Junior Research Group “Integration of Migrants and Attitudes towards the Welfare State (IMES)” at ZEW Mannheim, has commented on this matter:

“Fundamentally, this debate overlooks the reality faced by the authorities: switching from welfare benefits to lower benefits for asylum seekers would place a disproportionate burden on local social welfare offices, which are already operating at the limits of their capacity. What would help Ukrainians in Germany are not deportation debates, but faster procedures for recognising their qualifications, as well as greater availability of childcare.

The idea that cutting benefits would increase the willingness to integrate is short-sighted. The Russian invasion of Ukraine occurred only two years ago. Those who have come from Ukraine are mainly young women with children – a group that generally has a harder time entering the labour market. Cuts in benefits would therefore hit a particularly vulnerable group. Moreover, the labour market integration of these refugees is progressing as expected and is no worse than that of previous immigrant groups.

It is particularly encouraging that Ukrainians are aiming for long-term integration: more than half want to stay in Germany for the long term, participation in language and integration courses is high and they have prior qualifications. These are important prerequisites for refugees to find good and skilled jobs.

In this debate, however, it is important to remember that providing protection to those fleeing war and destruction is a humanitarian imperative that cannot be tied to labour market participation. Ukrainians are here seeking refuge from Russian invasion, not to fill our labour shortages.”