The following are some of the reforms proposed to reduce German unemployment

Jobcentres: federal employment offices overhauled into "job centres", mirroring private employment agencies in candidate turnover and efficiency.

Quick placement: employees register with jobcentres as soon as they are put on notice, to reduce time between jobs. Benefit cut for late registration.

Pressure: job-seekers must explain reasons for turning down even low-paid work or face benefit cuts.

Young people: guaranteed a place on a training course, financed by a new government bonds scheme.

Over-55s: encouraged to take lower-paid jobs topped-up with social welfare, or removed from the jobcentre system and given a form of pension.

Employers: social contribution bonuses and a €20 billion fund in soft loans for hiring employees.