BIG back on the cards
There is proof that a basic-income grant can improve the lives of people, says the special advisor to the minister of poverty eradication and social welfare, Bience Gawanas.
Speaking during a recent discussion of the African Union Agenda 2063 and Social Protection, Gawanas said an equal society was achievable and within reach.
“Those who say that, should ask those who live in despair or go to bed hungry what difference N$100 can make. They should recognise that social protection is one main means of eradicating poverty. The BIG pilot project proved that cash transfers can change people's lives,” Gawanas said.
The discussion interrogated issues relating to Agenda 2063 as a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years.
“Namibians do not need to wait for 2063 to create the Namibia we want, a caring and inclusive society where no one is left out. Much has been said that cash transfers or the provision of food creates dependency,” she said.
The Agenda 2063 action plan was formed at the Organisation of African Unity/African Union 50th anniversary celebration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in May 2013. In terms of the plan, African leaders made a pledge to accelerate growth, development and prosperity on the continent going forward to 2063.
The government has in the last two years undertaken a national dialogue and national conference to determine the real needs that Namibians have, including the feasibility of introducing a basic-grant for poor people who do not receive existing social grants.
The government is yet to pronounce itself on the outcome of this dialogue as well as whether a grant will in fact be introduced.
Another speaker, Dr Michael Akuupa, director of Labour Resource and Research Institute (LaRRI), said while social protection programmes for the poor were of particular importance, their general interventions and views did not address the neoliberal economic frameworks that created such contexts they are trying to address.
“In comparison to social protection, the norms in social policy are production, protection, reproduction, redistribution, social cohesion and nation building. Although I am not an ardent proponent of solidarity tax as a possible tool to be used in redistribution of wealth, there are not many other ways how we can reverse the situation and deal with redistribution,” he said.
STAFF REPORTER
Speaking during a recent discussion of the African Union Agenda 2063 and Social Protection, Gawanas said an equal society was achievable and within reach.
“Those who say that, should ask those who live in despair or go to bed hungry what difference N$100 can make. They should recognise that social protection is one main means of eradicating poverty. The BIG pilot project proved that cash transfers can change people's lives,” Gawanas said.
The discussion interrogated issues relating to Agenda 2063 as a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years.
“Namibians do not need to wait for 2063 to create the Namibia we want, a caring and inclusive society where no one is left out. Much has been said that cash transfers or the provision of food creates dependency,” she said.
The Agenda 2063 action plan was formed at the Organisation of African Unity/African Union 50th anniversary celebration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in May 2013. In terms of the plan, African leaders made a pledge to accelerate growth, development and prosperity on the continent going forward to 2063.
The government has in the last two years undertaken a national dialogue and national conference to determine the real needs that Namibians have, including the feasibility of introducing a basic-grant for poor people who do not receive existing social grants.
The government is yet to pronounce itself on the outcome of this dialogue as well as whether a grant will in fact be introduced.
Another speaker, Dr Michael Akuupa, director of Labour Resource and Research Institute (LaRRI), said while social protection programmes for the poor were of particular importance, their general interventions and views did not address the neoliberal economic frameworks that created such contexts they are trying to address.
“In comparison to social protection, the norms in social policy are production, protection, reproduction, redistribution, social cohesion and nation building. Although I am not an ardent proponent of solidarity tax as a possible tool to be used in redistribution of wealth, there are not many other ways how we can reverse the situation and deal with redistribution,” he said.
STAFF REPORTER
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