Asylum seekers allowed to stay in Germany will have easier access to the job market under a new integration law agreed to after a two-day cabinet meeting.
Chancellor Angela Merkel called the new measure "a milestone" as the conference at Brandenburg's Schloss Meseberg wrapped up on Wednesday.
Under the package, asylum seekers who are approved to remain in the country will be integrated under the motto of "encouragement and expectation".
The government will also seek ways to ease access to the job market and integration courses, with the understanding that refugees will in return make an effort to integrate into German society.
Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel called the measures "a paradigm shift," saying that the government is now actively reaching out to those who come to Germany.
"If you really give it your all, then you can make something out of yourself here," he said in a message to refugees.
While the law is expected to provide easier access to the workforce, it will also tighten several stipulations for refugees. For example, those refusing integration opportunities would see their benefits cut.
Especially controversial is the so-called residence allocation, whereby approved asylum seekers will be expected to meet certain conditions set out by the government for a three-year period as part of being allowed to reside in Germany.
A permanent settlement permit would be possible only if they could prove sufficient "integration capacity." The law has been criticised by some refugee groups as being counterproductive.
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