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Germany wants thousands of Belgian forced labourers from World War II to pay taxes on their pensions. The Belgian National Pension Office has already received dozens of complaints about this. In autumn 2010 the German parliament passed a law stating that pensions of forced labourers will be taxed by a 17% load. The tax applies retroactively to 2005. Belgian forced labourers from the year 1940 or their widows have in recent weeks received a letter from a tax office in the German state of Brandenburg, stating that they have to pay taxes. For many, the costs go into the hundreds of Euros. The Belgian public finances says she can do nothing for these people. They must address to the German government IN GERMAN for more explanation. For many former forced labourers and their relatives this is a painful period brought back up.
Originally posted by TMJ1972
germany paid compensation to those workers after negotiations many many years ago.
Now not collecting taxes from them is seen as to be unfair to the rest of the people who need to pay taxes on their income.
its just fair for all
Originally posted by verschickter
reply to post by Staafke
Here in Germany, there are people working 40hrs a week and get less then 950€ a month. So lets talk about slavework...(because they had to work for it, too) If Germany is coldhearted, why do we have a social system (one of the best in the world)?
Did you knew, more Germans died after the war then in the war (including soldiers). Think about that.
Originally posted by rocket88
Originally posted by verschickter
reply to post by Staafke
Here in Germany, there are people working 40hrs a week and get less then 950€ a month. So lets talk about slavework...(because they had to work for it, too) If Germany is coldhearted, why do we have a social system (one of the best in the world)?
Very nice. Not working but getting paid the same as for a 40hrs week. Sick system aint it?
Did you knew, more Germans died after the war then in the war (including soldiers). Think about that.
You mean because of starvation in the camps in Russia or??? I would like to see a source if possible.
Originally posted by verschickter
Originally posted by rocket88
Originally posted by verschickter
reply to post by Staafke
Here in Germany, there are people working 40hrs a week and get less then 950€ a month. So lets talk about slavework...(because they had to work for it, too) If Germany is coldhearted, why do we have a social system (one of the best in the world)?
Very nice. Not working but getting paid the same as for a 40hrs week. Sick system aint it?
You didnt get what i meant. I´m totally for compensations but you have to think about who is earning the money that will be used to compensate...
Did you knew, more Germans died after the war then in the war (including soldiers). Think about that.
You mean because of starvation in the camps in Russia or??? I would like to see a source if possible.
I´ll search for the source, no problem.
To get what I mean, you must understand that I dont want to mock about compensation or dismiss the crimes the german government did. But you have to see it from the view of the people today.
Look, we also pay to israel. What do they do with the money? Spend it for war.
Originally posted by rocket88
If Israel spends their money on war it´s their problem. It is not german money anymore. They can do with it whatever they want.
The question is: does Israel pay taxes on their compensation?
Originally posted by Staafke
reply to post by verschickter
Chillax, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. And if you ask someone not to rant, don't rant yourself... I admit that I posted this thread in a very emotional state. We Belgians are actually very proud to have Germany as our neighbours, many of us have the "hard working mentality" as your people. Please be noted that English is my third language so I made a mistake about not mentioning the word "politics" or "government" enough. I didn't mean to generalize it to the German people, my apologies, I hope you'll accept them.