- Title: German cabinet approves integration law
- Date: 25th May 2016
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (MAY 25, 2016) (REUTERS) GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER THOMAS DE MAIZIERE ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE GERMAN LABOUR MINISTER ANDREA NAHLES ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE/ DE MAIZIERE AND NAHLES WALKING TOGETHER PHOTOGRAPHERS DE MAIZIERE AND NAHLES WALKING INTO CONFERENCE ROOM AND TAKING SEATS JOURNALISTS DE MAIZIERE / TO NAHLES CAMERAS DE MAIZIERE AND NAHLES WIDE OF NEWS CONFERENCE DE MAIZIERE AND NAHLES JOURNALIST WRITING ON LAPTOP (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN LABOUR MINISTER, ANDREA NAHLES, SAYING: "The best way towards integration, to really arrive in Germany, is a job. And the best way to get a good job is to learn German and a job training and therefore these are the key aspects of the law." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER THOMAS DE MAIZIERE, SAYING: "We have learned from our mistakes in the past. We don't want to let people live just next to each other and not take care of arising social problems. We don't want want parallel societies and ghettos. With the law approved today we open a possibility to all the people who are going to stay here permanently to play an active part in our country, but we also demand that from them." PHOTOGRAPHERS PAN ACROSS NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 9th June 2016 16:01
- Keywords: integration law Germany Nahles de Maiziere
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Asylum/Immigration/Refugees,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0014JB2M9Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The German cabinet approved an integration law on Wednesday (May 25), which requires adult migrants with no job and a high chance of being able to remain in the country to each attend 600 hours of German-language teaching as well as 100 hours of cultural "orientation" that end with the "Living in Germany" test.
"The best way towards integration, to really arrive in Germany, is a job. And the best way to get a good job is to learn German and a job training and therefore these are the key aspects of the law," German labour minister Andrea Nahles told reporters during a joint news conference with German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere in Berlin.
For Germany, the stakes are high. Merkel's decision last year to open the door to record numbers of refugees could rejuvenate an ageing workforce. But the longer it takes for them to learn the language and gain qualifications, the greater the strain on the economy and society.
Disenchantment with the chancellor's "Wilkommenskultur" - welcome culture - has helped propel the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany to strong results in regional elections this year.
Those migrants who are required to attend the classes but fail to turn up will see their state benefits cut to a minimum level "that ensures their livelihood", according to the draft law. Labour Minister Andrea Nahles said the amount by which benefits would be cut would depend on the individual case.
"We have learned from our mistakes in the past. We don't want to let people live just next to each other and not take care of arising social problems. We don't want parallel societies and ghettos. With the law approved today we open a possibility to all the people who are going to stay here permanently to play an active part in our country, but we also demand that from them," de Maiziere said.
Asylum seekers get up to 354 euros ($395) per month during their first 15 months in Germany and up to 404 euros after that or as soon as they are recognised as being entitled to asylum. They also get their accommodation and heating paid for while they are applying for asylum. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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