Long-term unemployed people are usually dependent on individual care and special support when looking for a job. This is one of the findings of a study conducted in collaboration with the Diakonischer Landesverband. "The central question was: Why do the long-term unemployed rarely re-enter the labor market despite numerous job vacancies?" explained Marko Hietzke, consultant for employment promotion and unemployment work at Diakonie Sachsen. For the qualitative study, 34 affected people were interviewed across Germany.
Long-term unemployment generally proves to be a self-reinforcing condition, said Hietzke. "One interviewee put it in a nutshell: illness made me unemployed and unemployment makes me ill." Those affected could fall into a disastrous cycle. "The longer unemployment lasts, the more difficult it is to get out of it again." Ambivalence and fears about re-entering the job market play a central role.
Fear of job interviews and failure
"There are fears of job applications, job interviews and failure," says Hietzke. In a way, the long-term unemployed are leaving familiar and safe territory when they start work. "Up until now, they were secure. The new job brings uncertainty."
Advanced age is considered an obstacle to placement. "It is difficult to place the long-term unemployed in the job market from the age of 55+."
Those affected need support at eye level
According to Hietzke, the long-term unemployed sometimes find themselves in a difficult personal situation. "Some have children or have to care for relatives. Sometimes they have mental illnesses, addictions or debts. All of this makes it difficult to find a way back into the job market." What is therefore needed is individual support at eye level from the job centers and social workers - or even better, from the social agencies that are also responsible for the long-term unemployed.
"In the public debate, people often talk about sanctions and total refusal. The study has rather come to the conclusion that benevolent pressure makes more sense," said Hietzke. It is not possible without pressure. Studies by the Institute for Employment Research also show this. Too much pressure, on the other hand, is counterproductive because it can alienate people.
"Most of those affected want to work"
"It's about involving those affected, making better use of existing instruments and incorporating examples of good practice to a greater extent," explained Hietzke. A problematic development is currently emerging with regard to the Participation in Opportunities Act: As money is lacking everywhere in times of financial scarcity, offers for the long-term unemployed are also being cut back. Although the instruments are expensive, they pay off in the long term.
"Work is also an important factor for the long-term unemployed. Most of those affected want to work, but they need good conditions to do so," said Hietzke, who frequently dealt with them in a previous job at the Dresden City Mission. "I have seen how people identify strongly with their work. One man who found a job in a cemetery left his work clothes on on the way home. He wanted his boy to see that his dad was coming home from work."
50,000 people in Saxony have been out of work for more than a year
According to the Saxon employment agency, long-term unemployment in Saxony has decreased in a long-term comparison. In 2019, it reached a low of 39,300 people affected. The positive trend was halted and reversed by the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2024, 50,455 people were registered as long-term unemployed. More men than women are affected. The economic development led to a reduction in jobs, particularly in industry with its traditionally high proportion of men, it said.
About half of the long-term unemployed (49 percent) are between 25 and under 50 years old. This is followed at a slight distance by the 50-plus age group (47 percent). In addition to a lack of training and language skills, the agency also cites health restrictions and childcare for single parents as reasons for unemployment of one year or longer. Sometimes there is also a lack of "matching demand and supply".
Low qualifications increase the risk of long-term unemployment
"The labor market is in difficult waters. Low-qualified people in particular have an increased risk of becoming unemployed and staying unemployed for longer," said employment agency boss Klaus-Peter Hansen. Prolonged unemployment could become a barrier to placement.
That is why the agency looks at the individual profile of a person. "We coach and train people according to their needs in order to get them back into work quickly and sustainably."
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