Solidarity instead of payment card!

The so-called SocialCard for asylum seekers was introduced in Hamburg a year ago. Now extended to the whole of Germany, it is part of a racist campaign of measures that culminated last week with the direct cooperation between the CDU, FDP and AfD.

The payment card already also affects students who receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act. Proposals are also circulating to extend the model to all welfare recipients and therefore potentially also BAföG. The associated restrictions, such as the exclusion of cash withdrawals over €50 per month, the inability to make bank transfers and use abroad, as well as the exclusion from online trading, are not only constitutionally questionable, but also discriminatory and contrary to human rights. In view of this, the ‘No to the payment card’ initiative is an example of practical solidarity to take self-organised action against these developments. It will report on its work and provide suggestions on how we can become active together.