The Federal constitutional court : Minister of labour, healing, defended the Hartz-IV-sanctions in Karlsruhe

Minister of labour, Hubertus Heil has defended the sanctions against Hartz IV recipients, job offers, exclusive or promotional measures to refuse, in front of the Federal constitutional court. "The social state must have a means of reasonable cooperation is also binding on demand," said the SPD politician on Tuesday for the Negotiation kick-off in Karlsruhe. This also includes benefit cuts. It was offered with a view to the community and, in particular, the taxpayers. (Az. 1 BvL 7/16)

According to the principle of "supporting and Demanding", you can turn to Promote the Jobcenter Hartz IV recipients that do not comply with their obligations, the money tap. In the case of misconduct, the go about a missed appointment, in addition to threatens to the three-month reduction of benefits of 30 percent of the so-called rule requirements. Who stands out within a year, several times negative, losing 60 percent or even the whole of the unemployment benefit II, including the costs for accommodation and heating.

The social court in the Thuringian town of Gotha thinks it's unconstitutional and has been subjected to a process to make the regulations in Karlsruhe under the microscope. In the case of a work had to do wireless with 234,60 euros less, because he refused a Job offer and a work Trial was denied.

The lawyer of the man, Susanne Böhme, not criticized at the hearing that the sanctions had the desired effect. There is a danger that Sufferers have developed a sense of Resignation and angst. To the contrary, the conciliation. The rigid period of three months is demotivating - it is not pay to change his behavior. So the sanctions would have a mainly punitive character.

The new Vice-President of the court, Stephan Harbarth said, the Senate was aware that the issue for many people in difficult life situations was very important and basic needs concerns. "We take this seriously." At the same time, he dampened high expectations. It does not go to the question of whether social services are a system of Sanctions is politically expedient, and not to the demand for an unconditional basic income.

The Chairman of the Board of the Federal employment Agency, Detlef Scheele, pointed out that the sanctions will not have a Hartz-IV-receiver broke off guard. To will start talking in conversation for the "integration agreement" also on the obligations.

in 2017, the Jobcenter imposed almost a Million sanctions. Of several times the same Person can be affected. In a good three-quarters of cases in people who had missed an appointment at the job centre. The benefits are reduced by ten percent. These reporting omissions, it is not in the Karlsruhe method, such as Harbarth made it clear, but only the deletions of 30 percent.

the future of ALG II, The height of the Hartz IV-remuneration is the Problem, not sanctions

It was expected that the negotiations will last throughout the day. The judgment is likely to be in a few months announced. (dpa)