Overview

• Landrat Ulli Schäfer is preparing a letter to Federal Labour Minister Bärbel Bas urging a legal basis to require work from Bürgergeld recipients.
• Greiz cites its asylum program launched in September 2024 under the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz with 80‑cent community jobs, reporting 64 placements into regular employment and 68 still in mandatory roles.
• According to local figures reported in the coverage, 182 asylum seekers were deemed able to work, with sanctions enforced, one court challenge lost by a claimant, and some departures from the county.
• Schwerin examined a similar obligation for Bürgergeld but now argues a general mandate would violate the Basic Law, highlighting divergent municipal approaches.
• The push feeds into national welfare reform debates as CDU voices call for tougher activation rules, but any extension to Bürgergeld would require new federal legislation.