Civil society organisation, Black Sash, says they expect the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement to reflect government’s constitutional obligation to provide social assistance for those aged 18 to 59, earning little to no income.
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is due to deliver the MTBPS in parliament on Wednesday.
Black Sash’s Advocacy Manager Hoodah Abrahams-Fayker says the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic has left more people in urgent need of assistance.
“The current social assistance framework is focused and targeted on those who are children, elderly and disabled so you’re missing middle is 18-59 years with no or little income has been a glaring omission on the part of government to provide support for those who cannot find work. With the COVID pandemic, they introduced the relief of distress grant of R350 which was due to end in October but in the economic recovery plan, the government extended it for another three months.”
In the video below, Black Sash advocates for a basic income grant:
In the video below, South African Federation of Trade Union leader Zwelinzima Vavi says he hopes government will find resources to save state operating enterprises such as SABC and SAA:
