Asylum seekers in Mühltal: Integration through work is successful!

Asylum seekers in Mühltal: Integration through work is successful!

In Mühltal, Azur GmbH has hired three asylum seekers full-time, which shows how important and valuable integrated workers can be for companies. Managing director Holger Kahl emphasizes the reliability and motivation of the new employees, who come from nearby refugee accommodations. “Integration through work,” says Kahl, is a central goal of his corporate philosophy. Ladadi.de reports from one of the new employees, Mansur Tok, a Kurd who has been living in Germany for two years and works as a recycling helper. Tok learns German in the evenings to increase his chances of getting a permanent job.

However, integrating refugees into the German labor market is often a challenge. According to a study by the Institute for Labor Market and Occupational Research (IAB) Poor language skills and insufficient qualifications are among the biggest hurdles on this path. These factors not only affect the opportunities of individuals, but also the entire economy, which could benefit from integration if more refugees had access to appropriate qualifications and language courses.

Challenges and support

Fouad Mhalhal Kzar Al-Saedi, who also works at Azur, comes from Iraq and has difficulties with the German language, which makes his integration difficult. These language barriers are a common problem that also occurs with many other refugees, according to the IAB's findings. Support from employment agencies and job centers is particularly important in order to promote language skills and adapt qualifications.

The integration course, as described by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS), offers easier access to German language skills and prepares refugees for the labor market. More than 100,000 Ukrainians have already completed such courses, and another 100,000 are in the starting blocks. Knowledge from the integration course is usually a prerequisite for a stable position in working life. BMAS.de cites the goal as the rapid and comprehensive integration of refugees through job-related measures and the promotion of special qualifications.

Create optimal framework conditions

Azur GmbH shows how companies can benefit from proactive integration. The three asylum seekers work voluntarily and receive 80 cents per hour in addition to the benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. This measure offers a first step into the world of work and helps to gain valuable experience. “We have a good knack for integrating these people into our team structure,” says Kahl.

Vice District Councilor Lutz Köhler supports the initiative and emphasizes how important recognition through work is for refugees. At the same time, the framework conditions must be continually improved to enable faster integration into the labor market. This includes, among other things, more offers for language training, support for childcare and more efficient management of the recognition of foreign qualifications.

It is therefore up to companies and society to give refugees the support they need so that they can build a new life in Germany. Azur GmbH sets a positive example and shows how integration can succeed.