Welfare associations are planning a large demonstration against social cuts in Kiel

The welfare associations in Schleswig-Holstein want to protest against social cuts with a large demonstration on Thursday in Kiel. After the start at the town hall, the procession should move through the city to the state house in the morning, the associations said.

Several thousand participants from all over the country are expected. The majority of the approximately 130,000 employees will remain at their jobs in order to ensure that people are cared for in daycare centers or nursing homes, said state pastor Heiko Naß. But: “It is important that our arguments are heard.”

Motto “Secure democracy - strengthen cooperation”

The initiators, including Diakonie, Caritas, DRK and Paritätischer, put their protest under the heading “Secure democracy - strengthen cooperation”.

Representatives of several associations emphasized that the current reform debate at the federal and state levels was perceived as a purely austerity debate. The consequences are negative in various ways. “The consequences affect people individually and very specifically,” said Naß. Facilities and employees came under pressure. In the end, this affects the people who rely on these facilities.

The executive board of the Paritätisches, Michael Saitner, warned: “People see themselves as a pure cost factor.” The chairman of the AWO Schleswig-Holstein regional association, Michael Selck, reported that employees often leave not only their employer, but also the entire industry because of difficult conditions.

Politics shifts problems onto municipalities

“We want to be seen,” said Naß, summarizing an important demand of the people who will be demonstrating on Thursday. Saitner emphasized that the welfare associations continually bring their demands into the political processes. However: “We have to admit that we are not being heard.” Politicians are only pushing the problems down with their pure austerity policy. He is convinced that if aid such as housing benefit is cut, many people will ultimately end up with basic security and put a strain on municipal budgets.

According to the information, the demonstration is supported by, among others, the DGB, the German Tenants' Association, the state parent representation of daycare centers, the German Social Association, Lebenshilfe, the Schleswig-Holstein Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Kiel City Monastery Foundation.