Opposition parties on Tuesday blasted Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement about changes to Hartz IV unemployment benefits, saying she had dodged the question about the precise rise in rates.
The Labour Ministry said Wednesday it wants to abolish the term that describes welfare benefits, <i>Hartz IV</i>, from general German usage in favour of one that can be more easily understood.
Unemployment in Germany edged slightly lower in August to 3.188 million people, according to official figures released on Tuesday, as the rebounding economy continued to create jobs.
Germany’s ruling centre-right coalition, along with the opposition and social organisations, began bickering on Monday over proposed reforms to the country’s Hartz IV unemployment benefits that could lead to increased payments.
German Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen is planning corrections to the unemployment benefit known as Hartz IV that will have far-reaching consequences for the long-term unemployed.
Germany's unemployment rate rose slightly in July, official figures showed Thursday, a blip in what has become known as a "jobs miracle" as Europe's top economy powers its way out of recession.
People on Hartz IV unemployment benefits could be restricted to renting apartments of 25 square metres or less under a radical plan floated by the Ministry of Labour, media reported Friday.
Germans worry the most among people living in European countries, particularly about unemployment, a new study by the GfK market research institute reported on Monday.
Official data on Tuesday showed German unemployment falling sharply and retail sales picking up, as Europe's biggest economy pushed on despite the eurozone financial crisis.
Federal Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Monday presented a new plan to give community service jobs to some 33,000 unemployed with “miserable” placement chances.
In another sign of recovery in Europe's biggest economy, figures published Thursday showed that German unemployment dropped sharply in April to 8.1 percent of the workforce from 8.5 percent in March.
The Federal Employment Agency and leading business groups have expressed strong confidence in Germany’s job market, with unemployment unlikely to reach anywhere near the heights feared a year ago.
Welfare recipients hoping for a windfall from the current review of Hartz IV unemployment benefits are set for disappointment after Germany's highest court ruled Thursday that any hike should not be backdated.
The Federal Labour Agency said Wednesday the number of people out of work in Germany dropped unexpectedly to 8.5 percent in March, as Europe's top economy continued its gradual recovery.
Children of unemployed parents should be able to take holiday jobs without the additional income affecting their family’s Hartz IV welfare payments under a move to fix an “incomprehensible” flaw in the system, Economy Minister Rainer Brüderle said Wednesday.
Germany's Hartz IV welfare recipients will not get additional money to clothe their fast-growing children after a court ruled Tuesday that a revolving wardrobe door was just a fact of life for parents of young kids.
FDP boss and vice-chancellor Guido Westerwelle again sharpened his rhetoric against the unemployed on Sunday by declaring that those young and healthy enough should be forced to do community work.
Continuing his fiery criticism of Germany’s social welfare benefits, Foreign Minister and head of the pro-business Free Democrats Guido Westerwelle on Friday advocated tough action against those who abuse them.
Job centres in Germany have been flooded by applications for welfare payments following a Constitutional Court ruling that could pave the way for Hartz IV benefits to be raised, daily <i>Bild</i> reported Tuesday.
Vice Chancellor Guido Westerwelle stepped up his attacks on the welfare system Sunday, calling for a complete overhaul and warning that workers were fast becoming “the nation’s suckers.”
Germany’s highest court has ruled Hartz IV welfare payments unconstitutional because children only receive a percentage of adult benefits. But <b>Tissy Bruns</b> from Der Tagesspiegel doubts the decision will end up helping poorer kids.
Senior government figures defended the maligned Hartz IV welfare system on Wednesday as political fallout continued following the German high court's ruling that the programme is unconstitutional.
Most of Germany’s unemployed parents receiving Hartz IV welfare support will be obligated to return an extra €20 in child benefit mistakenly paid out this month.
