Criticism of the payment card: refugees in Saarland from new hurdles!

Criticism of the payment card: refugees in Saarland from new hurdles!

Saarland, Deutschland - The introduction of a payment card for refugees in Germany has ensured that the explosive is. Planned for January, the measure is met with massive criticism at the Saarland Refugee Council, the Saar-Jusos and various welfare associations. The Refugee Council describes the card as "dung" and the Jusos argue that it represents an inhumane treatment. These concerns are also underpinned by the statement that the arguments for the original introduction of this card are only a sham debate, as was determined by the welfare associations. There is also criticism of the claim that refugees transfer money to their homeland - something that the critics believed cannot be proven. In the Saarland, the payment card affects an estimated 2200 people, with the special note that refugees from Ukraine are not affected by this regulation, as sr.de

change in the law and payment card

The government process for the introduction of the payment card for refugees has gone through several steps. On March 1, 2024, a change from the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act was decided, which was finally confirmed in the Federal Council on April 26, 2024. With this change, the payment card is to be recorded as a form of service provision, so that refugees can receive their claim in the form of credit on this card in the future. This measure not only aims to standardize the payment method, but should also reduce the administrative effort. Instead of handing over cash, cities and municipalities can book the amounts directly onto the cards. This makes it more difficult to use the funds for illegal transfers, which is a central concern in the introduction of this card, as bundes- government.de

Despite the positive view of the district council on the payment card, it remains unclear how the initial costs of the implementation must be mastered. After all, new interfaces have to be created to existing digital systems and staff must be trained. While most shops in Saarland are prepared for the introduction, the resistance to the map remains. The discussion about the payment card shows how controversial the topic of asylum policy and support for refugees is still.