Germany : new measures on the labour market come into force

A law correcting the perverse effects of the fourth reform of the labour market known as "Hartz IV" took effect on August 1. The text aims at facilitating the fight against frauds and at toughening the conditions for unemployment benefits. (Réf. 06781)
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The text, presented in May by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, aims at better fighting fraud and toughening the conditions of compensation for the long-term unemployed . Employment agencies will now have to test the will of job applicants. Long-term unemployment benefits may be reduced by 60% if the job-seeker refuses two job offers in a year. It may even be completely removed if the job-seeker refuses three job offers in a year. Moreover, in the event of suspicion on the rightfulness

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