(MENAFN) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the low employment rate among Ukrainian refugees in Germany, calling it “unacceptable” and pledging to reform the benefits system. Speaking at the annual conference of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA) on Tuesday, Merz highlighted that while some EU countries see 70–80% employment among Ukrainian refugees, Germany’s rate remains below 30%.

Merz argued that Ukrainians capable of working should no longer rely on Burgergeld, the citizens’ allowance typically reserved for Germans. Since 2022, Ukrainian refugees have been eligible for a basic allowance of €563 ($650) per month plus housing support. The government plans to reduce benefits to €441 per month for Ukrainians arriving after April 1, 2025, affecting about 83,000 people.

The chancellor also raised concerns about military-age Ukrainian men fleeing conscription, noting that he asked President Vladimir Zelensky to ensure they remain in Ukraine. Critics of refugee benefits, including Bavaria’s Markus Soeder, have argued that Ukrainians should not receive privileges unavailable to other refugees.

Merz’s comments follow similar remarks from Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki, who recently proposed stripping Ukrainian refugees of preferential treatment.

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