Labour Market Policy and Integration in Germany

Abstract

The report discusses employment policy and the integration of refugees into the labour market. Employment policy in Germany combines “passive” financial transfers and “active” qualification measures. Moreover, “activating” measures were introduced in 2004 to mobilize unemployed persons. Basically, social insurance-based benefits (Unemployment Benefits I) can be distinguished from basic income support (Unemployment Benefits II) as a means-tested social security system. Beneficiaries of both systems usually have access to measures such as education and training, counselling and placement, or support for self-employed work. Refugees’ access to the labour market depends on their residence title, country of origin and duration of stay. Access to supporting measures such as counselling and qualification is rather open. Moreover, different language tuition courses exist, because language capacities are a crucial prerequisite for accessing employment. Non-profit organizations provide many of these services either autonomously or under contract with public actors such as the local job centres.