German bundestag - leftist applications for poverty and wealth report rejected

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Leftist requests for poverty and wealth report rejected

Consequences from the poverty and wealth report

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The parliamentary groups of the German Bundestag want consequences from the Poverty and wealth report of the federal government (18/11980) draw – but do not agree on how they should look. This became clear in a debate on Friday June 2, 2017, about two requests from the left. The request (18/10628) to set up an action plan against child poverty was rejected with the votes of all other groups, and a second request to strengthen children’s rights (18/6042) was rejected by the coalition against the votes of the opposition. In be >18/12454, 18/11886 letter a).

Left: Looking away is irresponsible

For The left said the Labor market politician Sabine Zimmermann, Increasing poverty is one of the biggest problems that must finally be tackled. Looking away is irresponsible, she said to the Union faction. Agenda 2010 had brought so much poverty into the country. People have less and less money in their pockets.

Today, one in ten employees are at risk of poverty, the left-wing MP emphasized. 6.4 million people are trapped in the Hartz IV system. There are now a thousand tablets with two thousand dispensaries in the country. The downward spiral of wages cannot be stopped.

Greens: Poverty certificate for the coalition

Dr. Wolfgang Strengmann-Kuhn, social expert from Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen, described the poverty and wealth report as a record of the past twelve years with government participation by the CDU / CSU and as a certificate of poverty, also for the SPD. Poverty and inequality are at a "record level", despite the good economic conditions. The numbers couldn’t be prettied. It is significant that the proposals for debate were brought in by the opposition, that poverty was not an issue for the grand coalition.

Nevertheless, it is a central problem of justice, emphasized Strengmann-Kuhn. Social cohesion in Germany is seriously endangered. "We want a society with self-determined participation for everyone, an inclusive society", said the Green MP. Good work, containment of precarious employment, access to good education, affordable housing, health benefits for everyone and financial benefits are required, because a minimum amount of income is necessary in order to participate in society.

SPD: Inequality has continued to advance

The speeches by the Union and SPD factions made it clear that there was a dissent within the coalition when discussing the poverty and wealth report. So she said SPD labor market expert Daniela Kolbe, The government report contained indications as to why the gap between rich and poor is widening. In the past, there was “a tendency” in labor market and financial policy that particularly suited “higher incomes”.

In this way "the inequality was further promoted". This, according to Kolbe, makes them "thoughtful". One would therefore speak "intensively" about taxes in the election campaign. Kolbe said that the situation on the labor market was not as black as Die Linke likes to paint – with the minimum wage, collective bargaining agreements and the better work-life balance that the Grand Coalition promoted, much had already been achieved, in particular To strengthen parents. This also reduces child poverty.

CDU / CSU: Coalition has done an excellent job

Criticized for the Union faction Prof. Dr. Matthias Zimmer, Kolbe gives the impression that she is not part of the black-red coalition that the government is supporting, which has "done an excellent job" in recent years. This has to be recognized. At the moment there are three main challenges on the job market. On the one hand, this is the balance of the so-called fourth industrial revolution, which creates new jobs but does not replace the lost ones.

If machines replaced the workers who financed the social systems, one had to think about whether machines should be used to finance the social systems. There are, for example, no question bans regarding possible “machine taxes”. At the same time, business considerations should not always dominate; these do not per se serve the “economic common good” if too many workers are released. The development of a “digital precariat” that does not correspond to “the human image of Christian Democrats” is also worrying.

Left calls for program for social justice

The Left Group is calling for a program for social justice in another application (18/11796), which the Bundestag referred to the Committee on Labor and Social Affairs for guidance. In it, the left-wing group criticizes the federal government’s responsibility for poverty and wealth reporting, since this procedure “stretches towards a beautiful representation of reality" lead.

MEPs are therefore calling for responsibility to be delegated to an independent expert commission involving people affected by poverty. According to the Group, the Commission should develop measures against poverty and social inequality, in particular against social health inequalities and income inequalities. In addition, she should develop a program for the enforcement of basic social rights.

Greens: participation instead of poverty

Among other things, it calls on the federal government to submit a comprehensive concept against poverty and inequality that ensures that work is well paid and that the wage partners are strengthened and enabled to improve wages and working conditions. In the case of temporary agency work, the principle of "equal wages for the same work from day one" and a flexibility bonus should be introduced. The term of the contract will no longer be permissible in the future, according to the will of the parliamentary group.

Left wanted action plan against child poverty

In its first rejected application (18/10628, 18/12454), the left-wing faction asked the federal government to "immediately launch a multi-year and comprehensive action plan against child poverty". Particular attention should be paid to single parents, large families and families with a migration background. Child poverty is still one of the "most formative and serious problems" in Germany and has increased, writes the left faction in the template. According to the microcensus, 19.7 percent of children and adolescents under the age of 18 were at risk of poverty in 2015, and in 2014 the value was still 19 percent.

According to the will of the left-wing faction, among other things, a basic child protection should be introduced with the action plan. So the child benefit should be increased uniformly to 328 euros. In return, the tax-free allowances should be deleted. All children should be treated equally. In addition, basic social security systems such as Hartz IV would have to be designed “without repression and without sanctions”. The standard requirements for children up to the age of six should be raised to EUR 326, for children from the age of seven to 13 to EUR 366 and for children from the age of 14 to 18 to EUR 401. The child allowance should also be increased: to EUR 220 for children up to the age of six, to EUR 260 until the age of 12 and to EUR 300 after the age of 12. All other groups rejected this request.

Linke wanted federal children’s representative

The second rejected application by the left (18/6042, 18/11886 letter a) was devoted to the rights of children and adolescents up to 18 years of age, which are to be enshrined in the Basic Law in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The MPs therefore asked the Federal Government to submit a corresponding draft law.

In addition, the office of an independent federal child commissioner should be included in the constitution. In all legislative proposals and decisions that affect children, the latter should work to ensure that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is observed, draw attention to violations of children’s rights, and submit an annual report to the Bundestag on its work and its results. He should also be granted the right to inspect files and be heard by state institutions, as well as the right to mutual assistance, in order to represent children with their complaints to federal authorities, federal courts, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the European Court of Human Rights.

According to the left-wing faction, Germany has not yet implemented the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child consistently and completely. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has repeatedly identified serious shortcomings in this regard. (Suk / from / 02.06.2017)

Marginalspalte

Speeches on this agenda item

jewelry >Bundestag Vice President

Zimmermann (Zwickau), Sabine

Lehrieder, Paul

Strengmann-Kuhn, Dr. wolfgang

Alliance 90 / The Greens

Kolbe, Daniela

Zimmer, Prof. Dr. Matthias

Bahr, Ulrike

Pols, Eckhard

Griese, Kerstin

jewelry >Bundestag Vice President

Documents

decision

Transfer 18/11796 and 18/12557 decided
Decision 18/12454 (reject motion 18/10628) adopted
Recommendation 18/11886 letter a (reject application 18/6042) adopted

Further information

editor

items

Differentiated assessment of the poverty and wealth report

Poverty and Wealth Report

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For many people in Germany "the promise of the social market economy has become fragile". It has Minister for Labor and Social Affairs, Andrea Nahles (SPD), as the "central finding" of the fifth poverty and wealth report (18/11980), which was published on Wednesday June 28, 2017, was at the center of a debate. The report was then referred to the committees for further advice. The Committee on Labor and Social Affairs is to take the lead.

Minister: Opportunities for advancement have become fewer

It is right that Germany is doing well, said Nahles – and referred to the "record employment". But a "differentiated view" is important. For example, it was a social reality that high wealth arose less through personal accomplishments than through gifts and inheritance, and that opportunities for advancement had become scarcer.

One focus of her remarks was on child poverty. 60 percent of the children would be in the poverty zone if both parents were unemployed. If one of them worked full-time, the rate would drop to 15 percent; to three percent if both worked. To change something, childcare had to become more flexible and adapt to working hours. The minister’s formula: “Parents at work, children from poverty.” During this legislative period, “a lot had been achieved”. The report shows that there is "still enough to be done".

Left demands basic security for children

Katja Kipping (The Left) spoke of a "rift through society" and of "social division". She attached this to everyday realities: fridge broken, but not knowing how to get a new one; Trip to the family party not possible because the fare is missing; Not at all or rarely a visit to the swimming pool.

Kipping asked for one basic security for children in the amount of 570 euros. She referred to different educational opportunities. It is "unfair if the way to school is shaped by the parents’ account balance". "Longer learning together" is necessary. It advocated increasing the Hartz IV standard rate by 150 euros and introducing a minimum security of 1,050 euros.

CDU / CSU: Combating poverty with work

Kai Whittaker (CDU / CSU) emphasized that 70 percent of Germans said that they were doing well. The alleged injustices are only an issue in the plenary of the Bundestag. He accused the SPD of "inner conflict". Either she looks back on good social performance: "Then stop whining in the election campaign." Or she draws a bad balance: "Then you belong in the opposition and not in the chancellery."

Whittaker asked for all-day care not only in daycare centers, but also in primary schools. Last but not least, this benefits single parents as the group with the highest poverty rate. The aim of the Union is to "keep the economy on course". Because: "Work is this best means to fight poverty. "

Greens: Inequality levels are at record levels

Dr. Wolfgang Strengmann-Kuhn (Alliance 90 / The Greens) called the extent of poverty in Germany a "scandal in view of the economic situation". He denounced: "The level of inequality is at a record level."

He campaigned for three measures: First, basic security is needed "that actually protects against poverty". In addition, there should be a basic child allowance of 300 euros without taking into account the income plus child benefit bonus for low earners. Thirdly, a guaranteed pension that is above the minimum pension is required – and this without a means test. The fear of poverty in old age is spreading more and more. But the sentence applies: "The pension must be enough to live on."

SPD advocates solidarity pension

Daniela Kolbe (SPD) said the findings from the report "belong in the next coalition agreement". The report invites thoughtfulness and challenges action. The Union held it up and explained why the gap between rich and poor was too far apart.

The SPD, on the other hand, wants to change that. Their tax concept, which relieves families and increases income, promotes fair distribution. It must stop that younger people are "regularly offered temporary employment". With a view to poverty in old age, she found: "We are seeing into a massive problem." She demanded a solidarity pension.

Poverty risk rate in Germany

According to the poverty and wealth report, the poverty risk rate in Germany was just under 16 percent in 2014 and, according to the Federal Government, has been at about the same level since 2005. Nevertheless, despite good economic activity and employment growth, "rather an increase" is evident. Unemployed, single parents, low-skilled workers are at very high risk of poverty, according to the report. Children and adolescents are also affected above average, it says. Between seven and eight million people in Germany receive benefits from the minimum pension system.

With almost six million people, recipients of benefits under Book II of the Social Code (SGB II) make up the largest group. This also includes the so-called top-ups, who have to make use of benefits under the Second Book of the Social Code (SGB II) in addition to their earned income. The report also shows that the wealthiest ten percent of households own more than half of total net wealth. This proportion has risen steadily since 1998. By contrast, households in the lower half of the distribution only have around one percent of total net assets. (Fla / sas / 06.28.2017)

Marginalspalte

Speeches on this agenda item

Edelgard Bulmahn, SPD

Bulmahn, Dr. H. c. Edelgard

Nahles, Andrea

Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs

Kipping, Katja

Whittaker, Kai

Strengmann-Kuhn, Dr. wolfgang

Alliance 90 / The Greens

Kolbe, Daniela

Birkwald, Matthias W.

Stracke, Stephan

Kurth, Markus

Alliance 90 / The Greens

jewelry >SPD

Schröder (Wiesbaden), Dr. Kristina

Pau, Petra

Documents

decision

Transfer 18/11980 decided

Further information

editor

items

The role of inheritances in wealth formation is assessed differently

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"Partially distorted representation"

The Federal Association of Employers’ Associations (BDA) and the Institute of the German Economy (IW) rated the effect of inheritance on wealth distribution as rather small. For the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and the Economic and Social Sciences Institute of the Hans Böckler Foundation (WSI) inheritances, on the other hand, are such a relevant quantity that a wealth tax could be justified.

BDA representative Oliver Perschau criticized one "partially distorted representation" this public debate and pointed out that inheritances accounted for only a third of wealth in the wealthy. If, on the other hand, pension entitlements were included in the wealth calculation, the inequality between wealth would be 25 percent lower, according to Perschau.

"We have a justice problem"

WSI representative Anita Tiefensee pointed out that households with a high level of education are usually also households with a high income, which in turn also have to distribute large inheritances. For those households that would have inherited, inheritance made up 50 percent of the wealth, said Tiefensee. It demanded that labor should no longer be taxed more than investment income and that a wealth tax be introduced. The DGB also advocated this, "because we already have a problem of justice if two thirds of the wealthy state that an inheritance had a relevant effect on their own assets", said DGB representative Martin Künkler.

There was relative agreement on the need for increasing investment in education. Judith Niehues from IW emphasized, like other experts, that individual educational success still depends on the educational status of the parental home. It called for greater equality of opportunity to be provided in early childhood education. Because "if you give equal opportunities, the income differences are also accepted", she said.

"It has to be about work that is paid well"

In order to reduce income inequality and the risk of poverty, from Barbara Eschen, Representative of the National Poverty Conference, one thing is particularly important: "Placement in work alone is not enough. It has to be about work that is paid well."

Joachim Rock from Joint general association criticized that the poverty and wealth report evaded the question of the dependence of political influence on the wallet, although the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs had commissioned a study on it. There is one "systematic shift in advocacy", those for democratic development "extremely worrying" Rock emphasized.

Findings of the federal government

According to the government, despite the good economy and employment growth, there is "more of an increase" in the risk of poverty. The report says that unemployed, single parents, and the low-skilled are at very high risk of poverty. Children and adolescents are also affected above average, it says. Between seven and eight million people in Germany receive benefits from the minimum pension system. With almost six million people, recipients of benefits under Book II of the Social Code (SGB II) make up the largest group. This also includes the so-called top-ups, who have to make use of SGB II benefits in addition to their earned income.

The report also shows that the wealthiest ten percent of households own more than half of total net wealth. This proportion has risen steadily since 1998. By contrast, households in the lower half of the distribution only had around one percent of total net assets.

Left wants to fight child poverty

The left wing wants child poverty better combat and therefore requires the Federal Government in its application (18/9666) to set up an action plan. Among other things, the action plan is to stipulate that the level of social benefits will in future exclude poverty among children and young people, that benefits will be repressed and that benefits and advice for families will be made less bureaucratic.

In addition, a separate child protection scheme for children and adolescents should be introduced "to free all children and young people from poverty" and to ensure their participation in society. The action plan should also be accompanied by measures to improve the compatibility of family and work, an increase in the minimum wage and an increase in child benefit.

Social Justice Program

The left calls for a program for social justice in its second application (18/11796). In it, she criticizes the federal government’s responsibility for poverty and wealth reporting. "This process leads in some cases to a beautiful representation of reality," write the MPs. They are therefore calling for responsibility to be transferred to an independent expert commission involving people affected by poverty.

The Commission is expected to develop measures against poverty and social inequality, especially against social health inequalities and income inequalities. In addition, it should develop a program for the enforcement of basic social rights, Die Linke demands.

Greens call for concept against poverty and inequality

Alliance 90 / The Greens request in their application (18/12557) the federal government to present a concept against poverty and inequality. The fifth poverty and wealth report shows that people in Germany are on average well, but it also shows that prosperity does not reach everyone.

This must include better pay for work and a right to return full-time. The unemployed should be better protected and access for the long-term unemployed, low-skilled, refugees and single parents to the labor market should be made easier. Affordable living space must be created and low-income earners relieved of high housing costs. Other demands relate to a poverty-proof pension, educational opportunities and health care. (Che / 19.06.2017)