German city to pay alcoholics in beer for cleaning streets

In a controversial move, a city in Germany is planning to pay unemployed alcoholics and drug addicts in beer in exchange for cleaning the streets.

The planned taxpayer-funded project in western Germany to motivate these people to get back into the workforce has sparked controversy.

The "Pick-up" initiative by charity Addict Support Essen scheduled to start in June offers addicts beer, along with food and medical treatment, for working three to six hours a day collecting litter off streets, 'The Local' reported.

"The aim of the programme is not to supply people with beer," Essen explained.

"For the participants it is about a meaningful daily structure, feeling useful and learning a new way to behave," the charity said.
 

While the organisers defended plans to use free booze to entice into work, some people condemned the plans as irresponsible and exploitative, the report said.