Protesters Demand Better Support for Unemployed in Dortmund
Activists assembled in front of the Dortmund Jobcenter on September 30, 2025, to protest the challenging circumstances faced by social security recipients. The demonstration, organized by the Hartz Café Dortmund, called for increased citizen's income, simplified benefit payment, flexible accommodation cost adjustments, and voluntary education and self-organization opportunities for those affected.
The protest, themed 'Solidarity instead of forced labor', aimed to raise awareness about the living conditions of the unemployed. Volunteers Luca and Alexander from the Hartz Café co-organized the event to highlight the existential concerns of social security recipients.
Steffi Eulitz, a lawyer and social counselor, emphasized the particularly vulnerable situation of some unemployed individuals, such as drug addicts, the homeless, and older or sick people. She criticized the idea of flat rates for housing, arguing that it fails to reflect the reality of housing costs and could lead to increased homelessness and long-term expenses.
Christopher Davis, secretary of the FAU trade union, viewed the proposed cuts to social security benefits as a threat to the working population. He encouraged people to organize and take action against these cuts.
The protesters hoped that their demonstration would spark public awareness and action against the tightening of social legislation. They advocated for increased citizen's income, simplified benefit payment processes, flexible accommodation cost adjustments, and voluntary education and self-organization opportunities for those in need.
