Research on "Activation policies" in Germany

2005年，德国的最低生活保障制度进行了重大改革。改革的关键词是“激活”。为能够工作的人新设立了“求职者基本保障”。为超过失业保险供应期的长期失业者提供生活保障的“失业援助”被废除。社会救助的对象仅限于无法就业的人。首先，我们以德国的几次听证会为基础，分析了“基本保障法”的制定过程。该法案于2003年12月在国会通过之前的程序得到了澄清。接下来，我们向自治机构和劳动部等有关部门调查了2004年的准备情况。2005年，我们研究了如何实施新制度。在德国的制度改革中，以下几点对于支持长期失业者非常重要。个案管理、“激活方案”的内容、对最低生活保障发放要求的制裁、自治机构的组织、收入来源等，是日本公共援助改革中的共同点。通过与德国的比较，明确了在公共救助中实施自立支持制度的重点。

The system of securing the minimum standard of living in Germany was greatly reformed in 2005. The key word of reform was "Activation". "Basic security to job seeker" was newly established for the person who can work. "Unemployment assistance" that had secured the life of the long-term unemployed who passed the unemployment insurance supply period was abolished. The recipient of social assistance was limited only to those who cannot be set to work.First of all, we analyzed the preparation process of "Basic security law" based on several hearings in Germany. The process until the bill was adopted in Congress in December, 2003 was clarified. Next, we investigated to proper authorities, such as a self-governing body and the Ministry of Labor, about the preparation situation in 2004. In 2005 we investigated how the new system would be carried out. The enforcement situation of a new system was clarified.At the system reform in Germany, the following points are important to support long-term unemployed. Case management, the contents of the "Activation program", sanction against the requirements for grant of the minimum life security, organization of self-governing body, and source of revenue.These points are common in the reform of public assistance in Japan. As the result of comparison with Germany, we were able to clarify the important point for enforcement of the self-independence support system in public assistance.