Can we afford NOT to have a BIG in South Africa? — Pilots, multipliers and Covid- recovery stimulus - let the evidence lead Guy Standing (Professorial Research Associate, SOAS University of London and co-Founder of BIEN)

In this episode, Guy Standing, internationally renown expert and widely published author on BIG speaks to Duma and Isobel (SPII)about his experience as advisor to President Mandela on labour market issues, as well as his view that South Africa CANNOT afford not to have a universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG) both as a recovery stimulus but also as a central pillar of a sustainable future.

He references his reasons to the many UBIG pilot studies that he has undertaken in four continents. Highly topical and extremely interesting to listen to: this episode is an historic marker in South Africa's policy deliberations.

There are many countries that piloted a big, Finland, Scotland, Berlin, Germany. Different countries have different dynamics

“I’ve had the privilege of being invited as the director of research in (19)95-(19)96, we discussed the BIG in 1995. I suggested it be called a Freedom grant,” Guy Standing mentioned, “where the ANC had a mandate of making reforms. I presented this to Nelson Mandela, he said winning the peace is harder than winning the war.” Added Standing.

Everybody in the community should receive a basic income, equally to men and women, a modest amount. We need a Basic income grant to help our country out of this pandemic slump. The multiplier effect is to inject money into the economy and have it generate its own wealth. This allows people the dignity of participating in the economy.

We need to give equal status and equal remuneration to people who are doing different forms of work, not necessarily jobs. Jobs generated need to be productive, well-paid with good conditions, in a properly functioning labour market. Due to caregivers seeking jobs to support their family where they would much rather do the caregiving work.

Last week, I was talking to president Ramaphosa and he mentioned that he has always been interested in a BIG, at the beginning of 2020 he spoke to the Prime Minister of Sweden, comparing notes on thinking on social policy. He concluded the convo saying in South Africa, we need innovative policies, and that the BIG should be looked at and considered.

We are in a pandemic slump, we will only get out of it if we are courageous and if we produce basic security for everybody, everybody in South Africa.

Source: Rewind