A major controversy has erupted in Germany after the Federal Employment Agency had mandated a higher wage for two migrants than their German colleagues for the same job.

The Schwäbische Zeitung reported on Monday that last month, logistics company SV Druck GmbH sought to hire two migrants as shipping assistants at one of its warehouses in Weingarten. The company offered the prospective employees the statutory minimum wage of €12.82 per hour. Their employment was set to begin on 1 February, but the process encountered bureaucratic hurdles when the migration and integration office refused to grant work authorisation, citing objections from the Federal Employment Agency.

As is known, in Germany, the employment contracts of refugees must be approved by the relevant authorities. According to a letter issued on 20 January, the employment was rejected on the grounds

that the proposed wage was deemed too low. The agency ruled that the migrants must be paid at least €14 per hour, as this was considered the „customary wage” for similar positions. However, the company already employs several German citizens in the same role for the statutory minimum wage of €12.82 per hour.

The company’s HR department argued that it would be discriminatory to approve a higher wage for migrants while German employees earn less for performing the same tasks, but their objections were disregarded. In the end, SV Druck GmbH decided to terminate the contracts of the two men to avoid internal conflicts among staff.

Across the border in Austria, many leftist-liberal political leaders continue to prioritise migrants. The charity organisation Diakonie and the city of Vienna have provided 110 brand-new luxury flats in Vienna’s Favoriten district to migrants with refugee status. The issue caused a major outcry in the Austrian capital last autumn, particularly among residents who have been waiting years for housing renovations and have expressed dissatisfaction with the advantages given to migrants.

The 110 new air-conditioned flats, each with a balcony and furnished to a high standard, have also angered local residents. Following a formal inquiry by the Freedom Party of Austria to Peter Hacker, the SPÖ’s city councillor for social affairs, new details about the housing scheme have now energed, the Austrian Exxpress newspaper reported. According to the response, the project is specifically and exclusively intended for migrants. The reply emphasised that Austrian citizens are not part of the target group.

According to the councillor, migrants with refugee status who move into the newly constructed complex will be eligible for basic welfare support. Recognised asylum seekers, just like Austrian citizens, are entitled to apply for assistance „to cover their living costs, including rent”.