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Politicians call on unemployed not to buy fireworks
Published: 31 Dec 10 10:35 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20101231-32141.html
Two politicians have caused outrage in Berlin by demanding that recipients of the unemployment benefit known as Hartz IV not waste their money on fireworks.
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"Unemployment benefit, which is paid by the state, should not be blown on rockets and bangers," Cornelia Seibeld of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) told Berlin newspaper B.Z..
This came in reaction to reports from shopkeepers that some welfare recipients were spending up to €150 on fireworks, nearly half of the monthly Hartz IV payment of €359.
Björn Jotzo of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) told the spendthrifts, "It would make more sense if they invested in a balanced diet, instead of bangers," before adding, "But some Hartz IV recipients are spending a lot of money on fireworks, even though they should be more frugal."
But the pair stopped short of calling for a ban on unemployed people buying fireworks. "Such a ban would not be enforceable, the bureaucratic complexity would be too big," said Seibeld. "A voluntary abstention would make more sense."
Benefit recipients interviewed by the paper were unimpressed by the suggestion they should let those with a job have all the fun. "I saved the money ahead of time," said 18-year-old Mostafa Khodr, who spent €80 on fireworks this year. "And I'm not going to let anyone tell me what to spend it on."
Single mum Sylvia Demski agreed, "My sons deserve a bit of New Year's fun, and they shouldn't have to go without just because I'm unemployed."
The Local/bk
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Your comments about this article:
maybe politicians should concentrate on giving out some real instructions.
I mean have you seen the price tag on some of these things all them Euro's going for a bang how mad is that Money! is something you will never recycle.
because they receive benefits from a "SOCIAL" system.
I for see a family standing on the curb with their heads down and a Hartz lV,badge on their chest ,and other children asking why they have no fireworks (:>
The politicians probably just gave a tip, that be careful how u spend the money in your hand and maybe save some of it (there arent any raises planned for near future!).
Btw, the two Hartz IV recipients mentioned in the articles, the names dont sound very 'German'... Make of it what u want??!!
I am from Melbourne, Australia. Here it is illegal to buy fireworks except in our 'territories' - ACT and Northern Territory. Under state (Victoria) regulations, however it is illegal to posses or use them, offenders face penalties of up to $40,000 and jail.
This is good because we don't get morons blowing their fingers and hands off etc.
Also, we call unemployment benefit 'the dole'. You can spend your dole on anything, but there is a push now to make it mandatory to spend most of it on food and other essentials.
You can also get a supplementary 'food voucher', but it can't be spent on 'luxuries' which include things like chocolate etc.
Which as a taxpayer I totally agree with!
Cheers and I love Germany :o)
Should that money be treated no different than income earned from a job?