In a heated debate over the fate of jobless Ukrainians in Germany, opposition politician Alexander Dobrindt suggested that only those who have found employment should be allowed to stay in the country. His statement, made to the German tabloid Bild am Sonntag, was met with immediate criticism from members of the ruling SPD and Green coalition parties.

As a member of Bavaria's conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), Dobrindt called on the German government to tell Ukrainians in the country to either find work or return to a safe area in western Ukraine. He also proposed changes to the residency status granted to Ukrainians fleeing to Germany following Russia's invasion in February 2022. Previously, fleeing Ukrainians were automatically granted residency status and welfare payments, instead of having to apply for asylum.

However, Dobrindt's repatriation idea faced strong opposition from several politicians, including Saskia Esken, chair of the ruling Social Democrats (SPD), who argued that the main reason so few Ukrainians were working in Germany was not their preference for welfare payments, but rather the lack of sufficient childcare and kindergarten opportunities for their children. Omid Nouripour, head of the Green Party, also criticized Dobrindt's suggestion, emphasizing that it disregarded the horrors caused by Putin's war.

Accusations of prejudice against Ukrainians were leveled at Dobrindt by both SPD and Green politicians, who accused him of stoking unfounded stereotypes. Last week, the German government declared its intention to continue providing welfare payments to the approximately 1.17 million Ukrainian refugees in the country, with the majority being women and children.

According to the Ministry of Labor, around 185,000 Ukrainians in Germany hold regular jobs, while an additional 47,000 are employed part-time or temporarily. The figures highlight the challenges faced by the Ukrainian community in finding stable employment, prompting a discussion on how to address these issues and ensure better integration.

The debate surrounding the deportation of jobless Ukrainians has become a contentious issue in German politics, bringing to the forefront the complexities of providing support and opportunities for a displaced community in the aftermath of a devastating conflict. As the discussions continue, the focus remains on finding solutions that ensure the well-being and successful integration of Ukrainians in Germany.