Asylum seekers receive 50 centimes more per day in the canton of Aargau
Published: Tuesday, Nov 26th 2024, 12:30
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In the canton of Aargau, asylum seekers, temporarily admitted people and people seeking protection from Ukraine will receive CHF 9 per day to buy food in the coming year. The cantonal parliament approved the government council's proposal for an increase of 50 centimes against the votes of the SVP and FDP.
The decision was made on Tuesday as part of the consultation on the 2025 budget by 71 votes to 66. The SP, Center, GLP and Greens were in favour.
Specifically, the minority motion of a preliminary advisory committee not to increase the food allowance by 50 centimes was rejected. This would have saved the canton CHF 1.3 million in 2025.
Parliament increased the food allowance by 50 centimes a year ago - against the will of the government council at the time. As part of an austerity program, parliament cut the money by one franc to 8 francs in 2018. Next year, there will again be 9 francs per day for the purchase of food.
Low performance in Aargau
Health Director Jean-Pierre Gallati (SVP) commented on the proposed increase, saying that the overall benefits in Aargau were "very low" compared to the rest of the canton. The increase was therefore "appropriate" in the view of the cantonal government.
The SVP and FDP argued that Swiss people were also living in poverty in old age. Asylum seekers would have enough to live on in Aargau. An SP spokesperson described the discussion about the 50 centimes per day as "almost embarrassing". Aargau is debt-free and tax cuts are being discussed.
Since the beginning of the year, they have been receiving 59.50 francs per week, which must also be enough to buy toiletries. In addition, there is one franc per day as pocket money and a clothing allowance of 20 francs per month.
©Keystone/SDA
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