Political parties shy away from BIG
No Namibian political party is taking the lead to champion the Basic Income Grant (BIG) in the upcoming national and presidential elections.
This according to the BIG Coalition’s Claudius Riruako, who said “not one political party is interested” in the cause.
The coalition has demanded a N$500 monthly allowance for every Namibian under the age of 59. After a march last weekend, the coalition handed over a petition to poverty eradication minister Doreen Sioka. The group has demanded a response to its petition by August.
Billions a year
According to the latest data by the Namibian Statistics Agency (NSA), Namibia's population now stands at 3 022 401 people, with about 93.2% under the age of 60. At N$500 per person per month over 12 months, government would have to spend close to N$17 billion on the BIG grant, more than the N$16.8 billion budgeted for education this fiscal year.
Initially, when the Namibian Tax Consortium proposed the universal grant in 2002 as a way to deepen and expand the tax base, only N$100 per month was suggested, and it was only for Namibians of working age. Between the ages of 15 and 59, there are now, according to the NSA, nearly 1.7 million Namibians. At N$500 per month each, the BIG grant would amount to N$850 million per month for them, or about N$10 billion a year.
This large expense is one main reason why the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) does not want to back the cause, according to spokesperson Imms Nashinge. “We agree that Namibians deserve better and something must be done, but we can do better [than BIG],” he said. Despite the severe and widespread poverty in Namibia, Nashinge said the BIG grant is just not feasible in view of the country's budget.
Unemployment grant
For the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), what is unacceptable about the grant is that it applies to all Namibians, even millionaires.
“We support the objectives of the BIG, but due to high unemployment, we would rather support an unemployment grant than something for everyone,” leader McHenry Venaani said.
Meanwhile, the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) said it supports the cause in principle.
Deputy secretary-general Eneas Emvula said the party believes in the socioeconomic impact of the BIG on the most vulnerable Namibians. He also highlighted the success of the grant’s pilot project in Omitara. “The money is there and, if applied, the workers will pay for it through taxes.”
Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa did not respond to inquiries.
This according to the BIG Coalition’s Claudius Riruako, who said “not one political party is interested” in the cause.
The coalition has demanded a N$500 monthly allowance for every Namibian under the age of 59. After a march last weekend, the coalition handed over a petition to poverty eradication minister Doreen Sioka. The group has demanded a response to its petition by August.
Billions a year
According to the latest data by the Namibian Statistics Agency (NSA), Namibia's population now stands at 3 022 401 people, with about 93.2% under the age of 60. At N$500 per person per month over 12 months, government would have to spend close to N$17 billion on the BIG grant, more than the N$16.8 billion budgeted for education this fiscal year.
Initially, when the Namibian Tax Consortium proposed the universal grant in 2002 as a way to deepen and expand the tax base, only N$100 per month was suggested, and it was only for Namibians of working age. Between the ages of 15 and 59, there are now, according to the NSA, nearly 1.7 million Namibians. At N$500 per month each, the BIG grant would amount to N$850 million per month for them, or about N$10 billion a year.
This large expense is one main reason why the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) does not want to back the cause, according to spokesperson Imms Nashinge. “We agree that Namibians deserve better and something must be done, but we can do better [than BIG],” he said. Despite the severe and widespread poverty in Namibia, Nashinge said the BIG grant is just not feasible in view of the country's budget.
Unemployment grant
For the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), what is unacceptable about the grant is that it applies to all Namibians, even millionaires.
“We support the objectives of the BIG, but due to high unemployment, we would rather support an unemployment grant than something for everyone,” leader McHenry Venaani said.
Meanwhile, the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) said it supports the cause in principle.
Deputy secretary-general Eneas Emvula said the party believes in the socioeconomic impact of the BIG on the most vulnerable Namibians. He also highlighted the success of the grant’s pilot project in Omitara. “The money is there and, if applied, the workers will pay for it through taxes.”
Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa did not respond to inquiries.
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