Arbeitsförderungsgesetz

The Arbeitsförderungsgesetz, often abbreviated as AFG, was a significant piece of German legislation enacted in 1969. Its primary aim was to modernize and restructure the existing labor market promotion measures in West Germany. The law established a comprehensive framework for active labor market policy, aiming to prevent and alleviate unemployment and to ensure the efficient functioning of the labor market.

Key provisions of the AFG included the introduction of unemployment insurance as a right, replacing previous insurance schemes. It also laid the groundwork for various employment promotion programs, such as vocational training, further education, and retraining initiatives. The law empowered the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesanstalt für Arbeit) to implement these measures and provide financial support to individuals seeking employment or undergoing training. The AFG recognized the importance of adapting the workforce to changing economic conditions and technological advancements.

While the AFG was instrumental in shaping German labor market policy for decades, it underwent several amendments and was eventually replaced. In 2003, it was superseded by the Third Book of the Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch III – SGB III), which incorporated and expanded upon the principles and objectives of the original Arbeitsförderungsgesetz, continuing the commitment to active labor market policies.