Women in Exile & Friends; group of refugee women* and women* in solidarity, are calling on policymakers in the State of Brandenburg, who are currently debating the coalition contract of the next government, to abolish the ‘Bezahlkarte’ across the entire federal state.
For the last six months, we have conducted extensive research with asylum-seeking women affected and living in different camps in Brandenburg where the card has been introduced. We have also spoken to people working closely with the administrative officers in these districts.
The women talk about the restrictions on the card’s use for shopping, including which shops and items it can be used for. “The cashier immediately recognizes that I have a Bezahlkarte due to its spceific design. Then it depends on her attitude towards refugees how she treats me. It takes away my dignity and my choice.”, J., one of the refugee women affected by the card system, also says that these restrictions affect women who are already living in isolation with limited mobility. “For those with young children and those living with a disability, it adds the burden of not having cash to pay for extra activities for the kids or to take a cab when the buses stop running.”
The only ones profiting from the Bezahlkarte are Publk and Securepay. From 2024-2026 Brandenburg state was spending almost 3 million euros funding this racist project and handing over public money to privae hands. In 2024 Brandenburg sate spend 1884.000€, 453.000 in 2025 and 522.000€ in 2026. On top of this the costs of the local districts have to be added. The costs are still not public, but we expect them to be a lot. The workers have to approve each transfer, approve applications or organize hearings on increasing cash limits and need to replace lost payment cards, ect. Permitted payees have to be placed on the so-called “white list,” while others are placed on the black list. The racist wording speaks for itself.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that no effort is too great to discriminate against refugees and rob them of their self-determination. We ask the local districts and Brandenburg State to follow Potsdams Decision and abolish the Bezahlkarte.” says Elizabeth Ngari. “The payment card system undermines dignity, creates unnecessary obstacles and channels public money into private hands. Women who have fled conflict and persecution should not be subjected to restrictive tools that complicate their already traumatised lives.”
This is why Women in Exile & Friends demand the abolition of the Bezahltkarte and that refugees be given the chance to live and participate in this society in dignity.
