Equal yet different: a social perspective

 In the European Union—including Slovenia—tempers are flaring, and even hostility is emerging, toward the unemployed, who are perceived as receiving social assistance without working. Naturally, this overlooks the fact that social assistance covers only basic living expenses—costs that are minimal and lower than standard wages.

When funds run low and general poverty rises, a scapegoat must be found; inevitably, social benefits become that target. Instead of creating paid jobs, the focus is shifting toward "social jobs"—or making social assistance conditional upon performing socially useful work—while likely reducing the number of regular employees in the civil service and state institutions.

In Slovenia, "socially useful work" is already defined in the Criminal Code as unpaid compensatory labor (one day of imprisonment equates to two hours of socially useful work) used to settle a prison sentence and/or a fine (see previous article: https://vsakodnevnobydarja.blogspot.com/2026/08/debata-o-druzbeno-koristnem-delu.html?m=1/).

Now, however, this method of "paying off" a prison sentence and/or fine is set to be extended to unemployed individuals expected to be part of the active workforce. It is not yet known—either in Slovenia or elsewhere in the EU—how the hours of community service intended to offset cash social assistance will be calculated, nor which other public expenditures (such as scholarships, child benefits, or rent subsidies) might be included. To date, the rule has been that able-bodied unemployed persons must accept suitable paid employment—including public works jobs (paid at approximately 70% of the standard wage)—or risk losing their cash social assistance, as remaining unemployed in such cases is considered a matter of personal choice. Similar rules apply in other EU member states.

Naturally, the relationship between cash social assistance and the minimum income—expressed in approximate figures for a single person without additional subsidies or expense coverage—is a subject worth discussing.

In Slovenia, cash social assistance amounts to €507.43 for a single person without children, excluding rent subsidies (which cover the difference between market and non-profit rent) and the protection allowance (available to women over 63 and men over 65). Meanwhile, the minimum base salary is set at €1,000 after the deduction of mandatory contributions (pension, health, and social security), income tax, and the long-term care contribution. Many believe that the fact that the minimum wage is nearly double the amount of cash social assistance serves as a strong incentive for employment rather than unemployment. In fact, the minimum wage and pension have risen this year by more than the official inflation rate reflected in the increase of social assistance benefits. It is also useful to compare the situation with other EU countries.

In Austria, social assistance amounts to €1,230, while the net minimum wage ranges between €1,350 and €1,550. Naturally, this makes the unemployed in Austria slightly less motivated to work; however, their employment agencies are likely more effective at finding paid employment for jobless individuals.

In Italy, social assistance ranges from €500 to €780. Although there is no statutory minimum wage, actual minimum earnings range from €950 to €1,300. The gap is smaller in Italy than in Slovenia.

Hungary offers the lowest social assistance—ranging from €60 to €70—and places a strong emphasis on socially useful work. The minimum income or wage is €560 (or approximately €650 for skilled workers).

This overview highlights the fact that the EU lacks a unified free labor market policy or a unified social policy. This gives rise to debates about "social tourism" within the EU—even though such discussions often overlook foreign or non-European migrants, who are frequently the ones actually engaging in this practice.

Germany, the so-called driving force of the EU, is also an interesting case. The minimum wage for a single person without children—and thus without tax relief—ranges from €1,600 to €1,650. Meanwhile, social assistance for a single person amounts to €563 per month. Based on this data, one certainly could not say that "social tourism" pays off in Germany—regardless of the barriers facing foreigners (other than migrants); rather, employment is the more rewarding option, as the minimum income there is likely the highest among the listed EU countries. Unlike in other countries, asylum seekers in Germany are required to accept community service work, which is valued at approximately 80 cents per hour and generally involves tasks within asylum centers.

France also has a set minimum wage, which amounts to between €1,450 and €1,465 net after all mandatory contributions are deducted, as mandatory social contributions are payable there as well. Social assistance for a single person stands at €651.69.

In Spain—which recently experienced a severe shock due to a surge of migrants that bordered on an invasion—social assistance for a single person amounts to €733.60, while the minimum net wage (after contributions) is €1,142 per month (based on 14 payments) or around €1,332 per month (based on 12 payments).

In most EU member states, migrant asylum seekers receive a small allowance in addition to food and accommodation. Once granted asylum, they are treated on an equal footing with the country's citizens. Furthermore, most countries allow them to reside outside of asylum centers.

By the end of July, 17,121 migrants had illegally crossed the Slovenian border; they subsequently become a burden on Slovenia's public funds, having never paid mandatory social security contributions. A referendum is scheduled for October in Slovenia regarding the proposal to make social welfare payments conditional on the performance of community service—most likely without any additional remuneration. Until now, such work in Slovenia was classified as an "activity" that entitled the recipient to higher social welfare payments based on the number of hours worked. In any case, for these individuals, this so-called "social debt"—to use current rhetoric—has increased.

Debates concerning the welfare state, social protection, "idlers," "welfare tourism," and austerity measures—aimed at averting a national financial fiasco, boosting economic strength through state subsidies to companies, cutting government spending, and addressing excessive labor costs for employers—are all ultimately rooted in the economic crisis toward which we are rapidly heading.