Saxony-Anhalt mandates work for asylum seekers amid backlash

The authorities of one county in Saxony-Anhalt have decided that asylum seekers will be required to work. This decision has sparked considerable controversy in Germany. Not everyone is pleased that migrants will have to work.

At the turn of 2023 and 2024, the Mansfeld-Südharz region in Saxony-Anhalt experienced a natural disaster. Many homes were submerged, and local authorities announced that asylum seekers must engage in flood protection work.

The local head, André Schröder (CDU), stated that refugees and migrants are to carry sandbags and perform community service to help reinforce the flood dam in the area. The authorities want to prevent a repeat of what happened six months ago.

The head threatened that those not complying with the decision would face cuts to asylum benefits. According to Deutsche Welle, this decision has received support from the local community but has been strongly criticized by organizations working to help migrants.

According to migrant aid organizations (Lamsa), the decision may lead to migrants being seen as "cheap labor." André Schröder agreed that authorities cannot treat asylum seekers this way but emphasized that "the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act backs his decision."

Those who receive benefits from the state should, within their possibilities and skills, also give something back to the state, the head said in an interview with the EPD agency.

So far, benefits have been reduced for 16 migrants. Despite the arguments of local authorities, the Saxony-Anhalt Refugee Council believes that "this is forced labor," which is against the German constitution. Local government officials disagree with this claim.