The introduction of citizen income is “overdue,” said Nahles. “After 17 years of experience with ‘Hartz’, it was overdue to see what worked well and what didn’t.” She is pleased “that we are now getting better tools to get people out of need, sometimes after many years.”
At the same time, Nahles defended the higher standard rates and additional earning opportunities for the unemployed due to the citizen income. It’s always worth working, she told the newspaper. “In the vast majority of cases you get more money and you don’t usually stay on the minimum wage for life, but can develop further.” You also pay into the pension and are, among other things, “a role model for your children”.
Last week, the Bundestag and Bundesrat cleared the way for citizen income by agreeing to a compromise reached in the mediation committee. This means that the successor regulation for Hartz IV can come into force as planned on January 1st.
