On 23 January a resolution on citizenship
income, or basic income, on the basis of the
report by Nunzia Catalfo (Italy, NR), was
adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly.The
Assembly considers that the introduction of a
citizenship - which is defined as “universal,
individual, unconditional and sufficient to
ensure living in dignity" - would relieve
poverty and guarantee equal opportunity for all.
The resolution stresses that this citizenship
income would supplement earnings for those
engaged in non-standard forms of work and
job-sharing, those who are underemployed or
those in unpaid work.However, given the
practical difficulties of such a radical change
in social policy, the Assembly believes that an
in-depth debate is necessary in each country to
determine the modalities for this basic income,
and the ways of funding it. The adopted text
proposes a series of recommendations to the
member States, inviting them, in particular, to
study the past and present initiatives of
field-testing different formulas of basic income
at local, regional or national level. |