THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
As from 1 April, some changes, ranging from the introduction of a new €50 banknote to additional regulations of temporary work, will enter into effect in Germany. And learners have to prepare for a more difficult driving license test!
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New Restrictions for Temporary Agency Work
From 1 April 2017, several changes to the German Law on Temporary Work (Arbeitnehmerüberlassungsgesetz – AÜG), which covers the regulation of temporary employment and work contracts, will enter into force.
The major, most important changes are:
– Temporary workers may only be posted to a client company for a period no longer than 18 consecutive months. After this period, the workers have to be posted to another company or be employed permanently by the old company (there’re some exceptions for employees subject to collective labour agreements)
– Temporary workers should also receive the same wages as the permanent staff doing comparable work after nine months (though this can be extended to 15 months under certain circumstances) at a client company – Equal Work, Equal Pay !
– “Precautionary” permit will no longer protect job agencies and client companies from the consequences of illegal personnel leasing in case of bogus work and service contracts.
– Striking employees of the client company may no longer be replaced by temporary agency workers as a way to reduce a strike’s impact
Driving license test
From 1 April, learners should expect a number of new and revised questions during the driving theory test, including additional picture and video questions, according to the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.
The test will include 58 new questions, including 13 new video questions. They will replace the existing 21 image and text and ten video questions.
Asset allowance
The maximum value of asset which an applicant for social assistance benefits is allowed to own and still qualify to receive support will be raised from the current amount of EUR 2,600 to EUR 5,000 from 1 April 2017
New €50 bank note
A new €50 bank note goes into circulation as from 4 April 2017. The introduction of the new €50 banknote is to make it safer from counterfeiting. The old notes will still be a legal tender after the introduction of the new notes but they will be gradually withdrawn from circulation.
The new orange €50 bank note has a number of new security features, including a secret window on its left side. When held against the light, it reveals a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology.
The bill’s design also includes features that “disappear” when viewed under infrared and ultraviolet lights, which should help cash handlers determine whether a banknote is authentic.
The €50 is the most widely used euro banknote, accounting for 45% of all euros in circulation. According to the European Central Bank, there are more €50 notes in circulation than the €5, €10 and €20 put together.
Euros are used across the 19 countries of the euro zone.
Sola Jolaoso
