Stop payment card!
In Heidelberg and the Rhein-Neckar district, the discriminatory "payment card" will be introduced in the foreseeable future for all refugees receiving benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. The decision for the payment card is based on a racist policy that seeks to further restrict the lives of refugees and isolate Europe from the Global South. We oppose the restrictive payment card and want to make solidarity a practice!
Why do we reject the payment card?
The payment card is an interference in the autonomy of refugees and leads to restricted participation in everyday life. In the Rhein-Neckar district, there will be a cash limit of €50 per month. A similar restriction is expected in Heidelberg. Transfers, online shopping and contracts are not possible or only possible with a lot of effort. Many areas of life require cash: such as small shops, weekly markets, flea markets or cultural events. All of this is restricted by the payment card.
Even if the payment card looks like an EC card from the outside, its application possibilities are much more restricted, as the card only works in specific stores. And if those affected want to set aside money from the meager benefits to support their families abroad, they will face significant difficulties. The card is problematic from a data protection perspective and provides authorities with comprehensive insights and opportunities for control.
What are we doing about it?
We do not want to accept this discriminatory and exclusionary card in Heidelberg and show solidarity with those affected. For this purpose, following the example of many other initiatives nationwide, we have organized a voucher exchange for Heidelberg and the surrounding area.
The principle:
- People with a payment card buy a shopping voucher in the supermarket
- At the voucher exchange, they receive the voucher value in cash
- People who stand in solidarity without a payment card receive the vouchers in exchange for cash
The exchange actions are not illegal but a response to a presumed unconstitutional policy, as the fundamental rights of those affected are violated and the cash limit of €50 endangers the minimum standard of living. (As read under: Stage win in preliminary proceedings against restrictive payment card: PRO ASYL and GFF support suing family | PRO ASYL)
How can you support?
Feel free to contact us and/or join our meetings if you...
- ... want to contribute your own perspectives
- ... want to support the organization of exchange funds
- ... want to take over shifts in the exchange fund
- ... can provide us with premises
- ... if you are organized in spaces and you are willing to give out shopping vouchers in your spaces
- ... can collectively take off shopping vouchers from us, e.g. for your shared flat, your house project, your club...
- ... want to contribute to a political campaign against these racist attacks
- ... want to support taking legal action against the payment card or even if you just want to get to know us or have questions.
We are also dependent on donations. We need a financial buffer for the exchange actions. Additionally, we need some money, for example for materials like flyers or posters, small purchases like lockable cash registers or barcode scanners or room rentals for information events. Donation receipts can be issued.
In the event that the financial buffer is no longer needed, it would be donated to the following organizations:
This means that your donation will do good in any case.
For a world of solidarity!
What do nationwide structures look like?
There are already initiatives in many cities against the payment card and exchange initiatives like ours. We are networked nationwide in the network "Equal social rights for all!" (Website, Instagram)
Further information
- Scientific assessment of the payment card
Flüchtlingsrat Baden-Württemberg - Fewer and fewer rights for refugees
Flüchtlingsrat Baden-Württemberg - What you need to know about the new payment card for refugees
Landtag Baden-Württemberg