Check out the details about the Basic Income Support Policy South Africa: What is it and How it Will Help Citizens? from this article. Various information regarding Basic Income Support Policy South Africa: What is it and How it Will Help Citizens? and other noteworthy things are included in this article.
Basic Income Support Policy South Africa
Despite numerous attempts to increase employment and poverty in South Africa, many people are still struggling with these issues. Although the social grants have attempted to provide temporary relief, they are only available to those who meet their eligibility criteria.
In light of this, there have been talks about introducing a Basic income support policy in South Africa. Not only can it help eliminate poverty, but it can also provide growth in employment.
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What is Basic Income Support Policy?
The basic income support policy was a part of CESCR’s recommendations to South Africa. It includes plans to introduce a universal basic income grant, providing access to social assistance to people aged between 18 and 59 having low or no income, and designing a composite index on Cost of Living.
The policy aims to cover everyone so that no one is left behind. This means that no person will be excluded from social benefit programs.
As we know, South Africa has one of the highest unemployment and poverty levels. The situation escalated when the pandemic broke out around the globe. Not only did it worsen the situation, it also left many citizens with no income support.
In light of this, the government introduced the Social Relief of Distress. It allowed temporary income support to thousands of citizens. However, it also has its eligibility criteria. This means that only those who meet the eligibility criteria receive the SRD grant.
SRD was initially aimed to offer temporary assistance for a certain period. However, when the situation worsened, the government was forced to extend this grant further. Additionally, the demands of making it a universal basic income support also started rising.
The basic income support policy aims to provide permanent social assistance, increase social grant amounts, and work towards implementing a universal basic income.
The income support of people who are between the ages of 18 and 59 and have no means to support themselves will get financial assistance from the government. This will not only allow them to meet their basic needs but also help South African citizens have an adequate living standard.
How it Will Help Citizens?
The basic income support policy can offer a good alternative to eliminating poverty in South Africa. Basic income support has the potential to close the income gaps and also provide more opportunities for personal growth and empowerment.
Unemployment and poverty have been a major part of the policy discussions for a very long time. The government should take the right steps in order to reduce poverty and unemployment.
These major factors are not only negatively affecting the economy of South Africa but are also the number one cause of hunger, poverty, unemployment, and even crime in the country.
If the citizens will get a stable income support with security, it can stimulate economic growth. Many citizens who were forced to go hungry every day can use this financial assistance to provide for themselves.
Meeting basic needs is the first priority of everyone and if it is hard to fulfil, it results in numerous problems. The basic income also has the potential to reduce the negative effects of automation in labour markets. It has caused many workers to lose their jobs.
According to the constitution of South Africa, every person has the right to have access to sufficient food, water and social security if they cannot support themselves.
The government has also taken some substantial steps, such as providing various types of social grants, increasing the grant amount, enhancing the social assistance programs, increasing the period of temporary assistance, and many other things to reduce poverty.
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The basic income can provide support to the citizens through sustainable societal and economic progress, freedom from fear, meeting basic income and needs, and growth of more productive members of society.
Furthermore, this can also improve educational outcomes and economic activity and reduce poverty, crime and unemployment. Therefore, many citizens are likely to gain significant benefits, provided that the basic income support policy in South Africa is fully implemented.
