Stop the Payment Card!
In Heidelberg and the Rhein-Neckar district, the discriminatory "payment card" will soon be introduced for all refugees receiving benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. Behind the decision for the payment card is a racist policy that attempts 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 represents an intrusion on the autonomy of refugees and results in restricting participation in everyday life. In the Rhein-Neckar district, there will be a cash limit of €50 per month. It is expected that there will be a similar restriction in Heidelberg. Transfers, online shopping, and contracts are not possible or only possible with a lot of effort. Many areas of life require cash: e.g., small shops, weekly markets, flea markets, or cultural events. All this is restricted by the payment card.
Even if the payment card resembles a debit card in appearance, its application possibilities are much more limited because the card only works in specific stores. And if affected people want to save money, despite the scarce benefits, to financially support their families abroad, it is made very difficult for them. The card is problematic from a data protection perspective and offers authorities extensive insights and control options.
What do we do about it?
We do not want to accept this discriminatory and exclusionary card in Heidelberg and want to show solidarity with those affected. For this purpose, we have organized a voucher exchange for Heidelberg and the surrounding area, modeled after many other initiatives nationwide.
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 in solidarity without a payment card receive the vouchers in exchange for cash
The exchange actions are not illegal but a response to a presumably unconstitutional policy, as the basic rights of those affected are violated and the cash limit of €50 endangers the human dignity minimum. (Read more at: Stage victory in interim relief proceedings against restrictive payment card: PRO ASYL and GFF support the suing family | PRO ASYL)
How can you support?
Feel free to contact us and/or attend our meetings if you...
- ... want to contribute your own perspectives
- ... want to support the organization of the exchange markets
- ... want to take shifts in the exchange market
- ... can provide us with venues
- ... are organized in spaces and would be willing to issue shopping vouchers in your venues
- ... can collectively take on shopping vouchers, e.g., for your shared flat, your housing project, your association...
- ... want to contribute to a political campaign against these racist attacks
- ... want to support taking legal action against the payment card, or if you just want to get to know us or have any questions.
We also depend on donations. For the exchange actions, we need a financial cushion. Additionally, we need some money, for example, for materials like flyers or posters, small purchases like lockable tills or barcode scanners, or room rentals for information events. Donation receipts can be issued.
If the financial cushion 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 transregional structures look like?
Initiatives against the payment card and exchange initiatives like ours already exist in many cities. We are connected nationwide in the network "Equal Social Rights for All!" (Website, Instagram)
Further Information
- Scientific Assessment of the Payment Card
Refugee Council Baden-Württemberg - Fewer and Fewer Rights for Refugees
Refugee Council Baden-Württemberg - What You Need to Know About the New Payment Card for Refugees
State Parliament Baden-Württemberg