Press Releases

The labour market in May 2020

Continued pressure in the corona crisis

Ensuring dual training in the corona crisis:

The partners in the Alliance for Initial and Further Training agree measures to stabilise dual training

Fake malware emails being sent to employers

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) would like to warn employers about fraudulent emails that are currently in circulation.

Temporary extension of eligibility period for unemployment benefits – extension to be automatically approved

Today, on 15 May 2020, the Upper and Lower Houses of the German Parliament discussed and passed a second welfare package (Sozialschutzpaket II), including the extension of unemployment benefits. The law will be published in the Federal Law Gazette over the coming week.

Short-time working allowance secures jobs but is not instant liquidity support for companies

Around 750,000 companies have reported plans to reduce their employees’ working hours since the beginning of March. Many of them are claiming short-time working allowance for the first time. This is leading to several questions and sometimes even uncertainty when it comes to claiming such payments, as discovered by the Federal Employment Agency (BA) in recent telephone consultations. Their questions range from the reporting process to the transfer of short-time working allowance.
That is why we have provided some answers to frequently asked questions about the requirements, the process and the settlement of short-time working allowance.

The labour market in April 2020

Growing pressure in the corona crisis

Agentur für Arbeit and Jobcenter continue to develop their telephone and online services:
Health and safety is our main concern

Since 18 March, the local Agentur für Arbeit and Jobcenter branches that are run jointly with the local authorities throughout Germany have reduced their personal contact with customers and are now dealing with more enquiries over the phone or online.

Short-time working arrangements skyrocket before flattening out

Total number of reports has stagnated over the past week
Plans to reduce working hours reported by one in three companies

Plans to reduce working hours reported by 725,000 companies

Number of reports rises by 12% in one week
BA bolsters its workforce

Drop in the number of annual sanctions

three out of four benefit reductions due to missed appointments

Sharp growth in number of reported short-time working arrangements

Plans to reduce working hours reported by more and more companies

Fake email being sent to employers on short-time working allowance

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) would like to warn employers about a fraudulent email. The senders want to access personal data.

Short-time working allowance: additional income from sideline activities in important occupations

In light of the current crisis, the German government has made it easier for people to supplement their short-time working allowance. Anyone who helps out in systemically important sectors and occupations can now make up for their financial losses.

Short-time work on the rise

Hubertus Heil (Federal Minister of Labour) and Detlef Scheele (Chairman of the BA) on the state of the German labour market in March

The labour market in March 2020

Seasonal decline in unemployment before intensification of the corona crisis

New regulations for basic security benefits

In light of the current situation, the German government has approved a welfare package to facilitate access to basic security benefits.

Deadline for the submission of notices for the employment of disabled persons extended until 30 June 2020

Employers now have until 30 June 2020 to submit notices for the employment of disabled persons. The same applies to the payment of compensatory levies.

Applications for basic security benefits to be simplified for the time being

The government is planning new temporary regulations for the consideration of assets and the temporary recognition of actual housing costs

Noticeable rise in short-time working arrangements

After conducting monitoring interviews with all Agentur für Arbeit offices in Germany, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) has detected a sharp rise in short-time working arrangements in light of the current situation.

Cash payments assured

Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit offices working behind closed doors

Telephone network overloaded

calls to Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit limited to emergencies

Personal contact to be reduced

Customers can still contact their Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit

The labour market in February 2020

further stable development despite weak economy

Applications for child allowance can now be made online

You can now make an application for child allowance online. It’s quick and easy, there’s no paperwork, and you can do it whenever and wherever you like.

Better advice for the recognition of professional qualifications from abroad

Central Service Centre for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications opens in Bonn

Child benefit applications are free through the Familienkasse

The regional Familienkassen (family funds) have recently noted a fresh rise in the number of child benefit applications submitted via commercial online providers who process child benefit applications for a fee.

The labour market in January 2020

Rise in unemployment mainly due to seasonal factors

Half of all applications for unemployment benefits are made online

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) has been taking online applications for unemployment benefits (ALG I) for the past five years, and almost half of all submissions are now digital.

BA budget: Only a slight surplus in 2019

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) has increased its spending on unemployment benefits over the past year due to the state of the economy. The surplus of 2.1 billion euros is considerably lower than in previous years. A deficit of 1.3 billion euros is expected for this year.

Fewer appeals and lawsuits filed for basic security benefits

Annual review 2019 - Robust labour market development despite weak economy

“The labour market continued to prove its robustness in 2019. Despite the weaker economy, unemployment and underemployment decreased on average in 2019, and employment has risen again”, said the Chairman of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), Detlef Scheele, at today’s monthly press conference in Nuremberg.

The labour market in December 2019 - the economic downturn can still be felt

“The labour market was largely stable at the end of the year, but we can still see the effects of the economic downturn”, said the Chairman of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), Detlef Scheele, at today’s monthly press conference in Nuremberg.

Finding Specialists and Promoting Inclusion

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) is taking the International Day of People with Disabilities as an opportunity to promote inclusion in the world of work.

The labour market in November 2019 – employment continues to grow

“The current economic weakness is still reflected by the labour market. But all in all, it still seems robust”, said the Chairman of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), Detlef Scheele, at today’s monthly press conference in Nuremberg.

Apprenticeship Market Review 2018/2019

applicant market continues to develop – challenges remain

The labour market in Oktober 2019

further robust development

The labour market in September 2019

robust development despite weak economy

Germany welcomes its 100th nurse from Mexico

BA looks back on one and a half years of successful recruiting

More child allowance possibilities now available online

Changes to address, marital status or account balance: If you are entitled to receive child allowance, you can now report changes to many aspects of your housing and living conditions online.

Broad support:  Christiane Schönefeld to become new board member

At today’s special meeting in Berlin, the Administrative Board of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) held a secret ballot to nominate Christiane Schönefeld as the new Chair of BA Resources. The committee will now advise the Federal Government to appoint the former CEO of the Regional Directorate of North Rhine-Westphalia as a member of the board. Christiane Schönefeld will assume responsibility for the BA’s human resources and finances.

Labour Market in August 2019 – Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rises Slightly

"The weak economic phase has even started to impact the labour market. All in all, however, it is still going strong. Unemployment and underemployment have increased in August. While employment growth continues, it is losing momentum, and corporate demand for new employees is falling again at a significant rate," said Detlef Scheele, CEO of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA), at the monthly press conference in Nuremberg today.

Special session of the Executive Board

The Executive Board of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) will be convening for a special meeting on 29th August 2019. Among other topics, the Board will discuss the decision to make a proposal to the Federal Government regarding the appointment of a member of the Executive Board.

jobcenter.digital – the new online service for Jobcenter customers

Jobcenter customers can now enjoy a new online service. A few weeks ago, it became possible to reapply for benefits and make changes online at www.jobcenter.digital. The service is rounded off with lots of information on basic security benefits.

The labour market in July 2019

Rise in unemployment mainly caused by seasonal factors

The Board of Governors approves the deselection of Board member Valerie Holsboer

The Board of Governors of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA)) deselected Board member Valerie Holsboer at its session today. The Federal Government is yet to approve the decision. The Board of Governors of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA)) deselected Board member Valerie Holsboer at its session today. The Federal Government is yet to approve the decision.

Annelie Buntenbach new Chairman of the Board of Directors

Annelie Buntenbach will take over the chairmanship on 1 July 2019

The labour market in June 2019

Economic slowdown is apparent

National Continuing Education Strategy concluded - Together for a new continuing education culture in Germany

The Federal Government, the federal states, the business community, the trade unions and the Federal Employment Agency pool their efforts for training and qualification with the National Continuing Education Strategy.

The labor market in May 2019

Business slows down spring revival

The labor market in April 2019

Continuing job creation

Failure to keep appointments accounts for three out of four sanctions

Fall in the number of sanctions - missed signing-on appointments are the most frequent grounds

Launch of the "Appointments count - gain employers" initiative

As part of the award of the Inclusion Prize for business on 9 April 2019 The Federal Labour Office (BA), the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA), the Federal Association of Integration Offices and Principal Welfare Offices (BIH) and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) launched their joint initiative "Appointments count - gain employers".

The labour market in March 2019

The onset of spring revival reduces unemployment

10 years UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: The idea of Inclusiveness is firmly anchored in the BA

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) is placing even greater emphasis on the inclusion of people with severe disabilities. The current employment rate of people with disabilities in the BA is 10 percent.

Quality of data collection in the job-centres

Federal agency receives information from the German Federal Court of Audit
 

Daniel Terzenbach is the new Executive Board member of the BA

The Labour Market in February 2019

Positive development, despite economic slowdown

The nationwide initiative to integrate work and health promotion will be further expanded

The project is already being implemented at 129 locations, in all 16 Federal States. In 2019, there will be a further expansion to new locations.

A good start into the new year

The Labour Market in January 2019   

Integration Officer and Federal Employment Agency:

'Powerfully expediting integration at work'   

BA budget 2018: Closing better than expected

Contribution rate reduction at the right time - BA closes 2018 financial year with a surplus of 6.2 billion euros

Million marks cracked

Online applications for unemployment benefit I

Less objections and legal complaints in the basic health insurance

• Number of contradictions and lawsuits dropped in 2018
• The number of objections in joint facilities has declined by 2.5 percent
 

Annual Review 2018

The labour market continued to develop very well

The labour market in December 2018

Positive development at the end of the year, also

Family Fund of the Federal Employment Agency: New advisory service on child supplement also available via video

The Family Fund of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) is offering a new and innovative nationwide advisory service on the subject of child allowances: the video advice.

The Year of Opportunities for the Unemployed and Contributors

In 2019, the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit - BA) will have sufficient funds at its disposal both for the contribution-financed insurance benefit and for the first time for the tax-financed basic insurance.

Engagement for inclusion

The biggest hurdles are those in the head

The Labour Market in November 2018

Continued Good Development

CIO of the year

IT boss Dr. Markus Schmitz receives award

Information on basic income support for job seekers ("Hartz IV") only available to a limited extent

Payment of cash benefits not affected

The budget of the BA 2019: The foundation is laid for relieving contributors

The Administrative Board of the German Federal Employment Agency (BA) adopted the budget for 2019 today.

Training market balance 2017/2018

Better opportunities for training seekers than in the previous year

The labour market in October 2018

Unemployment and underemployment continue to decline

Immigration of Foreign Skilled Labour Force - Recommendations by the BA

The Board of Directors and the Executive Board present recommendations for simplifying targeted labour force migration.

Daniel Terzenbach will be a new member of the BA management board

The labour market in September 2018

Powerfully developing autumn revival

The Labour Market in August 2018

Continued Favourable Development

Child benefit during studies - now simply apply online

 From now on, the parents can process the further approval of the child allowance online for their students.

The Labour Market in July 2018

 Sharper rise in unemployment only seasonal

Peter Clever the New Chairman of the Administrative Board

The Labour Market in June 2018

Continued Favourable Development

The labour market in May 2018

Unemployment and Underemployment are expected to decrease further

Less objections and legal complaints in the basic health insurance

About the Day of Nursing

The number of foreign-born nurses continues to rise

The labour market in April 2018

Spring recovery lowers unemployment and underemployment

"Professions at a glance"

With just a few clicks you can obtain all the important information on occupational groups and thus find information about the labour market: from today, this is offered by a new visualisation on the Internet on the statistics pages of the Federal Employment Agency (BA).

Brewer and Maltster - the Profession of Barley Juice

Whether top-fermented, bottom-fermented, craft beer or bock beer - beer is considered a cultural asset in many regions of Germany.

Failure to attend appointments accounts for three out of four sanctions

The job market in March 2018

Further reductions in Unemployment and Underemployment

MYSKILLS - New test makes professional knowledge visible

The German Federal Agency and Bertelsmann Stiftung are developing a new test MYSKILLS for professional know-how. The goal is to facilitate the integration of refugees, immigrants and unemployed people without vocational qualifications into the labour market. In the future, MYSKILLS will offer job agencies and job centres
30 professions in six languages.

Women are catching up in the labor market – employment is growing but mainly through part-time employment

International Women's Day on 8 March

Labour Market in February 2018

Good Development Continues

Starting signal for the BA training week

This year's training week of the Federal Employment Agency is starting today under the motto "#Training Clearing".

The labour market in January 2018

Lively start

Even unskilled people benefit from good economic conditions - but they are often unemployed

The unemployment rate of unskilled workers has dropped in the last year. But the risk of unemployment is five times higher than that of the educated.
There are huge differences between the regions.

BA budget 2017 closes with good results

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) closed the fiscal year of 2017 with a surplus of € 5.95 billion.

Annual Review 2017

Very Good Development of the Labour Market

The labor market in December 2017

Significant seasonally-adjusted decline in unemployment