It seems the nation of Finland is participating in a little scheme with 2,000 of its citizens: nihil est enim (something for nothing). This is otherwise known as a basic income guarantee, an idea that is gaining momentum across the globe.
The Scandinavian nation announced Monday that it has launched a pilot project in the quest for a universal basic income. Under the experimental phase, 2,000 citizens will be given a guaranteed income of €560 ($587) per month, whether they work or not.
Reportedly, the first part of the initiative will run for two years, in which government officials will then study the results. The participants were selected at random and will not be taxed throughout the duration.
Those running the project say the basic income guarantee provides workers with greater security and allow the unemployed to pick up odd jobs without fear of losing their benefits. Experts say this will actually encourage the jobless to seek out employment opportunities (didn’t these same people say welfare was not a deterrent to seeking employment?).
“Incidental earnings do not reduce the basic income, so working and … self-employment are worthwhile no matter what,” said Marjukka Turunen, the head of the legal unit at Kela, Finland’s social insurance agency.
Finland isn’t the only jurisdiction taking a look at the idea of basic income. Places in Brazil, Canada, Iceland and Uganda have all launched pilot projects. Switzerland unanimously voted against the program, though proponents say it is going to come to Switzerland no matter what, especially with automation on the rise.
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