zeit.de
German Refugee Employment: Nine Years After "Wir schaffen das
Nine years after Angela Merkel's 2015 statement "Wir schaffen das" (We can do it), 64 percent of the 2015 refugees are employed in Germany, with half working as specialists and the other half in helper roles, earning 70 percent of the average wage.
- What types of jobs do the 2015 refugees hold, and what factors contribute to the distribution of these jobs?
- The employed refugees work in various jobs; half are classified as specialists or experts, while the other half work in helper roles. This higher-than-average helper role percentage reflects differences in education systems, age, and language proficiency.
- What is the current employment rate of 2015 refugees in Germany, and how does it compare to the national average?
- Nine years after the 2015 refugee influx, 64 percent of refugees are employed in Germany, just six percentage points below the national average. An additional five percent are self-employed, exceeding initial employment expectations.
- Considering the employment rate and earnings of refugees, what challenges remain, and what potential future trends might emerge?
- While the 70 percent of average earnings among refugees is above the low-wage threshold, the high percentage of refugees in helper roles presents a challenge. However, ongoing increases in both employment rates and salaries suggest further improvement.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the narrative around the success or failure of Angela Merkel's statement, "Wir schaffen das." While this provides a temporal anchor, it risks oversimplifying the complex processes involved in refugee integration and may unduly focus attention on a single political slogan.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and objective, employing quotes from the interviewed expert. The article avoids overtly loaded or biased terminology. However, the phrasing around "Helfer" (helper) jobs could be refined for greater neutrality, possibly using a broader term encompassing similar roles.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the economic integration of refugees, neglecting other aspects of integration such as social inclusion, cultural adaptation, or political participation. While acknowledging limitations in scope, a more comprehensive analysis would strengthen the article's overall assessment.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't present a false dichotomy, but it does simplify the complex issue of integration by mainly focusing on employment statistics. The success of integration is not solely determined by employment rates, and this narrow focus might mislead readers.
Gender Bias
The analysis primarily uses aggregate data and doesn't delve into specific gender differences beyond noting that men from 2015 have higher employment rates than the average. A more in-depth exploration of gender-specific integration challenges and outcomes would be beneficial.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the successful integration of 2015 refugees into the German labor market, with a 64% employment rate, only slightly below the national average. This demonstrates progress towards SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), specifically target 8.5 aiming for full and productive employment and decent work for all, including youth and vulnerable groups such as refugees. The fact that employment is rising and wages are improving further supports positive progress.