What is Unconditional Basic Income?

An Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) is an income unconditionally granted to all members of a political community on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement. Unlike existing minimum income schemes in european countries, UBI is universal, individual, unconditional, and high enough to ensure an existence in dignity and participation in society. 

What is Unconditional Basic Income?

 

Universal: Every person, irrespective of age, descent, place of residence, profession etc. will be entitled to receive this allocation.
Individual: Everyone has the right to UBI on an individual basis as this is the only way to ensure privacy and to prevent control over other individuals. UBI will be independent of marital status, cohabitation or household configuration, or of the income or property of other household or family members.
Unconditional: As a human right UBI shall not depend on any preconditions, whether an obligation to take paid employment, to be involved in community service, or to behave according to traditional gender roles. Nor will it be subject to income, savings or property limits.
High enough: The amount should provide for a decent standard of living, which meets society’s social and cultural standards in the country concerned. It should prevent material poverty and provide the opportunity to participate in society and to live in dignity.

We emphasize that UBI should not replace the compensatory welfare state but rather complete and transform it into an emancipatory welfare system.