A city in western Germany will start a controversial project on Wednesday to employ alcohol and drug addicts to clean the streets in return for beer, tobacco, food and small amounts of cash. Social workers will closely oversee the project dubbed “Pick Up” in a dilapidated area around the central railway station of the industrial city of Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia. An initial six people will sweep streets and collect garbage in return for €1.25 per hour, a warm meal and three bottles of beer after their shift, as well as tobacco for smokers. …
