ADeC’s Social Wage Policy

TO : ALL ADeC Members
CC : NOBEC
FROM: FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Dear Changers

I trust this finds you well.

Leading up to the 8 May election (Just over a month away now), we are unrolling our policy priorities for communication. The first of these major policies is the Social Wage for unemployed South Africans. This can be explained as a basic wage that will be provided to all unemployed South Africans, despite race, gender, age and creed. This Social Wage will provide disenfranchised citizens with an opportunity to restore their dignity, strengthen the family unit, increase wages, enhance economic growth, fight poverty and decrease the crime rate.

Such a progressive policy will be sustained through combatting corruption and overhauling the current dysfunctional SASSA program. With an estimated R100 Billion being lost to corruption every year, a sustainable Social Wage is possible, and we would still have extra to enhance development and prosperity for all South Africans. Furthermore, understanding the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution has on the job destabilisation, the social wage and its systems can be used as a base upon which to implement policies which counter the negative effects of the economic transformation. These are just a few of the ways in which such a program can be implemented and sustained.

Below we have outlined 6 main communication points on how we will be presenting this policy to voters this election.

Restores Dignity

Not being able to take part economically in the prosperity of your community, family and country can have harmful effects on the human psyche, having a social wage of R2000 a month not only allows for an individual to provide for themselves and their family in a physical sense, but allow for the individual to have dreams and aspirations that they can work towards and combat hopelessness that we find present in so many individuals.

Nourish the family Unit

Not being able to provide the basic for your family can have detrimental effect on the family unit, can lead to fragmentation, and resentment on the part of other family members. An income of R4000 will fundamentally transform the dynamics present in many households. The social wage will contribute to taking away the pressures felt by many male household members to be sole providers and the expectation that woman to be solely child rearers. In turn, transforming power dynamics can play a role in combatting the culture that leads to gender-based violence.

Increases Wages

Many South Africans find themselves being taken advantage by employers who put profit before human dignity. Having a social wage of R2000 will place pressure on employers to provide appropriate compensation for labour and remove the pressure from the unemployed to accept poverty wages for their hard work.

Grows the Economy

Having all 55 Million South Africans taking part in the economy means that there will be more capital flowing, and this, in turn, will create growth. This is the shot of adrenaline the economy needs to get moving and uplifting our society again. Furthermore, this growth will be felt mostly in poorer communities which will have the opportunity to grow small businesses and create micro economies to trade between each other creating work and wealth opportunities. Entrepreneurism and Employment will become a reality even to those who never imagined it, and this will play a role in combatting the Apartheid spacial planning harming millions of South Africans.

Fights Poverty

Having R2000 in hand, means that a person will be far more capable to afford their basic necessities. This in combination with community development and support programs that engage in training and assisting with critical service providing, will allow unemployed individuals to use the time to further train themselves, and improve employment opportunities, rather than fighting to simply survive.

Combats crime

The social wage can be linked to crime prevention. By including penalties for those who commit crimes (including temporary suspension of the wage or reductions), not only will the social wage provide an economic cost to crime, it will also provide a real alternative. Instead of being forced into crime due to a lack of work, individuals will be forced out of crime due to the social wage.

We hope this assists in the understanding of the policy and the way in which to communicate it to members of the public. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact us. You can contact the National Spokesperson Anele Kunene on 067 732 2853.

South Africa works, When South African unite.

Regards,
Nathaniel Bricknell
Secretary General
For more info, please log onto: www.adec.org.za

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