Demand for a Basic Income Grant grows as unemployment soars
Advocacy group Black Sash has called for the urgent introduction of a permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) grant for unemployed South Africans
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Advocacy group Black Sash has called for the urgent introduction of a permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) grant for unemployed South Africans, warning that millions are being pushed deeper into poverty as the country’s jobs crisis worsens.
The call follows the release of Statistics South Africa’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey on Tuesday, which showed that the unemployment rate has risen to 33.2%, with 8.4 million people jobless and nearly one in two young people unable to find work.
"Behind these figures are millions of households facing hunger, deepening poverty and the daily struggle to survive," Black Sash said.
"Black Sash reiterates its call for the urgent introduction of permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) for all those aged 18 to 59 with little or no income, set at a level that at least meets the food poverty line and adjusted annually to inflation".
However, while Black Sash and civil society continue to push for the urgent BIS grant, government progress remains slow amid growing concerns over affordability.
Cabinet has also yet to approve the draft BIS policy, citing the need to ensure the grant is financially sustainable and linked to economic opportunities for recipients.
The group added that without BIS, "social grants remain grossly inadequate to protect the most vulnerable from the spiralling cost of living".
"High food inflation, particularly in essentials like meat, vegetables and cooking oil, is eroding the limited social support available, leaving millions unable to afford basic nutrition".
The organisation further called on the government to also implement a permanent BIS without delay; increase the value of social grants in line with the food poverty line, and invest in sustainable job creation programmes alongside social protection measures.
"Our Constitution promises every South African the right to social security. It is time for the government to honour this commitment, not with rhetoric but with decisive action".
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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