A number of organisations in Germany have come together to demand that recipients of unemployment benefits receive significantly more money, warning that poorer people in particular will be hit hard by the consequences of coronavirus. 

Trade unions and associations call for Hartz IV increase

A broad alliance of 36 trade unions and associations are calling for the standard unemployment benefit II (Hartz IV) and basic old age security to be increased to at least 600 euros per month, as well as for immediate additional aid for the poorest in society. The signatories of the demand include the unions Verdi, Education and Science, Awo, and the social welfare associations VdK and Diakonie. 

“We must not allow socially disadvantaged people to be pushed further to the margins of society by and during the coronavirus pandemic,” said the president of the Social Association Germany, Adolf Bauer. The general manager of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband, Ulrich Schneider, added, “Without any ifs or buts and without further excuses, we expect this federal government to finally do something for the poor that has real substance.” 

Since January 1, 2021, the Hartz IV standard rate for single people has been 446 euros per month. Couples receive 401 euros per partner. 

Extra support for low-income families in Germany

In addition to the increase to 600 euros, the alliance “Soforthilfe für die Armen – jetzt!” (Emergency relief for the poor - now!) is calling for a “flat additional requirement surcharge” of 100 euros per month, for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. 

All children and adolescents in low-income families should also receive hardware like laptops and tablets, as well as other learning materials, to allow them to make full use of digital education offers in schools. The alliance also says that protection against eviction is required for all renters “to ensure that nobody loses their apartment due to income losses caused by the pandemic.” 

The alliance’s demands have received support from the deputy SPD parliamentary group leader, Katja Mast, who said that the coronavirus pandemic, “hit the weakest the hardest.” She proposed a policy, which was previously put forward by Labour Minister Hubertus Heil, to give a financial supplement to benefit recipients that would go towards the purchase of surgical or FFP2 masks, which are now required in many areas of public life.