Chancellor Scholz asserts that his government’s job placement program for Ukrainian refugees, while showing some progress, needs improvement.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz advocates for increased employment among Ukrainian refugees in Germany, refuting claims of ineffectiveness in government initiatives. Germany has become a major destination for Ukrainian refugees since the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, hosting over a million individuals.
In late October, Stern magazine reported that around 720,000 Ukrainians received social benefits, costing German taxpayers €539 million monthly.
During a parliamentary Q&A, an opposition MP questioned the success of the ‘Job Turbo’ program. Scholz responded that the initiative has increased the number of working refugees but admitted that it’s insufficient.
Scholz emphasized the need for refugees with extended stays in Germany to actively seek employment, noting discussions with President Zelensky regarding a potential Ukrainian agency in Germany and Poland to aid in repatriation or job placement.
He stressed the importance of facilitating employment for Ukrainian refugees following language training and other integration measures.
Scholz previously stated his desire for Ukrainian refugees to work.
However, Stern, citing the Federal Audit Office, reported that the ‘Job Turbo’ program had limited success, accounting for less than one percent of refugee employment in 2024.
The report highlighted shortcomings in job center integration efforts, with counseling provided in only about a third of cases, resulting in increased dropout rates from integration courses. Launched last October, ‘Job Turbo’ aimed to assist up to 400,000 refugees in finding work.
According to Stern, only 30% of Ukrainian refugees were employed in Germany as of June 2024, lagging behind neighboring countries.