[War] "Germany: Welfare-to-Work"

[Michael Brittain]

"Germany:  Welfare-to-Work"
Chancellor Lukas Lehman, Federal Republic of Germany
March 23rd, 2013

(OOC: Thought I'd throw some domestic policy in somewhere, something to play
with for the next few posts. :-)

The cool evening breeze swept across Lukas's face as he stood beside an open
window, staring across at the dusk, crimson red sky. Sipping a cup of coffee
cautiously as the steam escaped in the breeze, the Chancellor rubbed his
left hand through his thinning, yet still black, hair. He was pondering the
day, winding down from a busy schedule.

A government policy review had finally published its findings and
recommendations on government reform of the economy. In line with Lukas's
own election manifesto, it recommended the implementation of a form of a
"new deal" for Germany as well as a number of tax benefits. High
unemployment had dogged the country for decades and was a highly
controversial election issue. The German economy although still the largest
in Europe was sluggish with growth forecasts for 2014 in the region of 1.4%.
It has long since been recognised government action was needed, but both
main parties of government could boast little success.

Lukas turned and placed his cup on the desk, taking his seat and picking up
the phone.

"Rosa, put me through to Ewald Roserlinger please," Lukas leant forward on
the desk, waiting.

"Ewald hello, it's Lukas," he began pleasantries with his federal minister
for labour and the economy. "Have you read the findings of the review body?"

"Yes, this evening. Everything is as expected, I was briefed by the
commission this afternoon as well."

"Excellent," although an independent government review, the fact that it was
a government review meant they had a good idea of what the findings would
be. "So we will proceed with our initial plan now we have the committees
agreement, in a meeting with them yesterday they were quite happy to endorse
our policy." Lukas rubbed his forehead as he spoke, nursing a slight
headache.

"I have scheduled meetings for the department all day tomorrow
regarding implementation. The civil service are quite hopeful the
policy can be in place soon; of course, I will contact you once I have had
meetings with them and let you know. But, it is looking quite positive."
Ewald replied.

"Good." Lukas rubbed his eyes; tired from the hours he had spent poring over
the report. "You make the initial press briefing outlining the plans, I'll
hold a press conference in the afternoon to put a greater positive spin on
it for the evening news."

"Okay.  Everything will go to plan, no need to worry Chancellor."

The Government had known all along what it had wanted to do, it was in its
election manifesto after all, but to ensure greater public and Bundestag
support it
commissioned a review of its own policy. With the full backing of the review
board, they could now proceed. Germany's 'New Deal' as it had been dubbed,
was a plan to roll out across the country comprehensive schemes to help
people into work. Education and training was it its heart, as was Lukas's so
called
'tough love'. Unemployment payments would only be paid out only to
unemployed citizens
taking part in a welfare to work scheme, and would cease if a person failed
to take
a job offered to them. Although intended to cut the number of citizens who
cheat the benefit system, Lukas's government had a strong desire to get
people into work, or retrained.

Schemes would be in place for most unemployed groups such as school leavers,
single parents, the disabled and long term unemployed. Heavy investment in
adult education centres was also planned to retrain the unemployed German
workforce. A boost of migrant workers from Eastern European countries had
provided the
economy with a supply of cheap labour, but Lukas could see that heavy
industry and manual labour was few and far in-between with companies
relocating to Asian countries. He was determined to attract new business to
a skilful, highly educated and willing workforce.

Placing the phone down, Lukas leant back in his chair. Funding for his
'welfare to work' policies would be costly and he would take a lot of
criticism for what could possibly turn out to be a white elephant. None the
less, content that everything was in order for the press release tomorrow,
he relaxed a little. A lot had been going on recently, not only within his
own government but further a field. The next couple of months would prove
pivotal in the making or breaking of his government, with a lot of emphasis
and reform on the education system coming into the spotlight soon.

Glancing at his watch, he decided it was time to retire. He wanted to see
his wife and children before they went to bed, anything else he could deal
with at home.

ACTIONS:
1.      Introduce the welfare to work (WTOW) programme, which is designed to
offer comprehensive help to all those unemployed. Its main aim is to get
people into work, either through re training/further education, or simply
improving interview technique and providing suitable support and advice. The
programme is to also introduce the ability to withdraw benefits from those
who refuse reasonable employment. In addition, there will be the
introduction of a Families Tax Credit. This is a tax credit scheme for
low-income workers that provide an incentive to work, and to continue in
work. The programme will be split into four main areas:

. WTOW for Younger People -It is targeted to the unemployed youth (aged
18-24) who have been unemployed for 6 months or longer, or who are seeking
advice on a new career after leaving school. This scheme will liase strongly
with schools, offering apprenticeships and further education courses.
. WTOW for the Long-term Unemployed - is targeted to adults (aged 25+) who
have been unemployed for twelve months or more. Opportunities will exist to
retrain in various new careers and offer adult education courses for those
willing to improve their German, maths and science skills. Part time
university placements for those who are able to attend university, and who
are willing, will also be made available.
. WTOW for Lone Parents - is targeted at the employment reintegration needs
of single parents with school age children. Additional funds will be
available to pay for child care of participating parents who see this as a
barrier to finding work.
. WTOW for the Disabled - assists those receiving disability benefits to
return to work.
. WTOW for 50 plus - for those aged 50 years old and above.
Participation in one of the options is mandatory in order to receive
benefits.

2. Use the findings of the review committee to back up government policy.

(OOC: I don't confess to know a lot about economics, so my apologies if this 
appears a bit loosely done!) 



-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.11/1093 - Release Date: 25/10/2007 17:38