Could you give some details on how that system works, what the lengths of time at different levels are, etc etc?
Basically, "unemployment benefits" are only given for 12 months (60% to 67% of former pay)....the time frame is extended to 18 months for people over age 55.
After that point, it goes to pretty normal welfare payments....that are also subject to looking for a job and accepting a job if any offer is made, pretty much (like you're both proposing for this law). Those payments are about 360€ a month. In addition to that basic money, "adequate" housing is provided by the state. Actually
Hartz IV is quite strict....even savings, whether you own a car, whether you own a house....etc, are all factors in your eligibilty for welfare payments. It's entirely a needs based system.
I'm willing to discuss (well....I'm not a senator, so nobody should care what I'm willing to do....) somewhat higher rates for the first year or so than
Hartz IV offers. I think that might be warranted, but it's really not a big factor for me. The more important thing is that salary based unemployment benefits aren't payed after that first year.
Anyone that's out of work for that amount of time, in my opinion, and apparently in the opinion of those that created this system.....needs to change his lifestyle. I understand he thinks he needs to pay for his car, his home, whatever else, but I don't think it's fair to make society pay for the continuation of a lifestyle he's no longer able to support himself. I support a safety net that makes sure nobody sinks into extreme poverty or hardship, but beyond those basic needs, I don't see why we need to offer anything. We can't have society at large subsidizing the lifestyle of someone that might not ever get back the job he previously held.
We're just asking for trouble with indefinite payments.
(And BTW...the welfare reform in Germany (which changed the system from something more similar to what Antonio is proposing to the current
Hartz concept) was actually passed under the Social Democratic/Green government. In 2003, IIRC. It's just one of those things that a left-wing party has to pass for it to be taken seriously. Somewhat like it being necessary that a Republican commence relations with China for the United States. Sometimes the biggest defender of a particular policy has to realize it's not effective in order for it to changed and widely accepted.) That said, left-wingers still hate the Social Democratic Party for these reforms. There's a reason Antonio was cheering for the Communists in the last election and not the SPD
