> - a gigantic market for unskilled/cheap labor they've set up 20ys ago You need first hand experiences of the Hartz-IV system to really grasp the extent of th

> - a gigantic market for unskilled/cheap labor they've set up 20ys ago You need first hand experiences of the Hartz-IV system to really grasp the extent of the above statement. It's set up to force a certain group of people (low social status) to work any job and then subsidizes their low wages just enough to keep their living costs covered - still dependent on, financially surveilled and micromanaged* by the state. Effectively preventing social mobility. Indefinitely. The German unemployment "social net" is really a giant subsidy scheme for the 1% (here, industry and landlords). At the same time, those 1% are fabricating the image of anti-social lazy tax-money leeches, as populist rhetoric to erode dignity of those hooked in the system even further, to keep minimum wage worker supply high. It's all wiiiicked corrupt. "Rich" Germany has one of the largest low-wage sectors in Europe, with more than 20% of all employed working about minimum wage. For comparison, in France that's less than 9%. https://www.destatis.de/Europa/DE/Thema/Bevoelkerung-Arbeit-Soziales/Arbeitsmarkt/Qualitaet-der-Arbeit/_dimension-2/niedriglohnquote.html https://www.destatis.de/Europa/DE/Thema/Bevoelkerung-Arbeit-... * You have to reveal all your finances, all gifts or other income are absorbed, you cannot keep substantial financial reserves, you cannot freely travel, or spend/invest your money as you please. Some de facto normal, but "irregular" living costs (like rent) may only be tolerated, so there is a high chance the state has something to hold against you to enforce cooperation.