The social assistance system in Germany, which granted Ukrainians immediate access to payments, has evolved into a "trap" that demotivates refugees from seeking employment. This is causing growing irritation among Germans and compelling authorities to implement stricter control measures, including the introduction of payment cards to replace cash handouts.
Valentina Pavlak, a pharmacy owner in Germany and a politician from the Free Democratic Party (FDP), discussed this issue during a broadcast with political scientist and Hvylya editor-in-chief Yuriy Romanenko.
According to the expert, granting Ukrainians status under "Paragraph 24" provided instant access to the social welfare system (Bürgergeld), creating an economic paradox.
"A paradox emerges: it is more profitable for a person to stay on welfare than to take a simple job. If you work, for example, as a cashier or a cleaner, you earn minimum wage... Taxes and insurance are deducted. Ultimately, your take-home pay is almost the same as what you would receive on welfare," Pavlak explained.
She cited calculations made by the refugees themselves: "Ukrainians are smart people. They sat down and did the math. 'Aha, I go wash dishes, get tired, and at the end of the month I have 100 euros more than if I sat at home and learned the language.' What is the point?"
This situation is generating serious social tension. Working Germans, who pay high taxes, do not understand this perceived lack of fairness.
"Germans are starting to get irritated... They say: 'I get up at 6 a.m., go to the factory, pay taxes, and my refugee neighbor sleeps until noon and gets almost as much,'" Pavlak noted.
This dissatisfaction, she argues, fuels the rise of far-right parties such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Citing statistics, Pavlak noted that only about 20% of able-bodied Ukrainians in Germany have found work. The primary obstacle remains the language barrier.
"Without the language, you are nobody in Germany. You cannot work in your specialty. A doctor cannot be a doctor, and a teacher cannot be a teacher. You need to validate your diploma, which takes years," she emphasized.
Valentina Pavlak warned that Germany is already beginning to "tighten the screws." One of the key innovations will be replacing cash payments with special payment cards (Bezahlkarte).
"It is already beginning. Discussions are underway to replace cash payments with cards that can be used for groceries but restrict cash withdrawals or transfers to Ukraine. This is a major blow to the shadow economy and to those who send euros home," the politician stated.
Stricter controls are also planned regarding the refusal of job offers; in such cases, benefits will be cut.
In the expert's opinion, approximately 50% of Ukrainians might stay in Germany if they can integrate. However, the category of "social tourists" will be forced to leave.
"They will definitely leave as soon as the war ends or when Germany starts tightening the screws on payments. And it will start... Germans are patient for a long time, but when that patience snaps, they act decisively. So I tell all Ukrainians: learn the language, find a job, and integrate. The free ride won't last forever," Valentina Pavlak summarized.
