social security and human rights: the south african experience dr b simpson, school of social work...
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SOCIAL SECURITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS: THE SOUTH AFRICAN
EXPERIENCE
Dr B Simpson, School of Social Work and Community Development, University of
KwaZulu- Natal, Durban, South Africa
BACKGROUND:
Facts about South Africa
Population: 49,99 million Almost one third (31,4%) are age 15
and below 7,5% are aged 60 and above Racially diverse society – majority of
population are African who have different cultural and linguistic traditions
BACKGROUND, cont
SA has long history of colonial and apartheid oppression of African people by White minority
1994: First democratic election 1996: New constitution adopted with Bill of
Rights – intention was to ensure that human rights were at the heart of all legislation and that human rights abuses would never again occur in SA
POVERTY IN SA
Official unemployment rate: 25,3% Unofficial unemployment rate: Approx 40% An estimated one third of economically active
Africans are in full time employment Most job seekers in their 20s and 30s have
never had employment – concern because these young people are not gaining skills and experience for the future
POVERTY IN SA, cont
Poverty as a human rights issue: Range of social problems associated with
unemployment – obvious effect on food security, shelter, health but also crime, disengagement with political processes, loss of hope for the future
THEREFORE, imperative that we address poverty
INEQUALITY IN SA
Gini co-efficient: 0,578 (10th in world)
Higher among African households than non African households (so inequality no longer between African and White, but between Africans)
Range of social problems associated with inequality – growing alienation and anger that poor people have not benefited from new government
SOCIAL SECURITY AS A HUMAN RIGHT UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Art 22: right to social security Art 25: right to security in event of
unemployment, sickness, widowhood, disability, old age and other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond the control of the individual
Also: International covenant on economic, social and cultural rights
SOCIAL SECURITY AS A HUMAN RIGHT The SA Constitution
Section 27.1 of Bill of Rights: right to social security
Section 28 specifically guarantees the rights of children to care and protection, including social services
THE SA WELFARE SYSTEM
Pre 1994: Residual welfare system Focus on curative services – casework with
individuals and very little community work Tended to be based in urban areas with
neglect of rural areas Residential care for vulnerable people Paternalistic view of welfare (worthy and
unworthy people)
THE SA WELFARE SYSTEM, cont
IN ADDITION: The welfare system was discriminatory Apartheid enforced through wide range of
legislation Race determined benefits and access to
services Benefits and services were unequal
THE SA WELFARE SYSTEM, cont
Post 1994: Developmental welfare approach with the adoption of the White paper for Social Welfare 1997
Rights based approach to social welfare Greater focus on preventive and community
based programmes, especially those that would link people with opportunities for income generation
Interestingly, retained the commitment to social security as a poverty alleviation measure
SOCIAL SECURITY IN SA:
New government inherited fairly well established, albeit discriminatory system of social security: 1928: Old Age Pension for Whites 1944: Old Age Pensions extended to other
race groups but Whites received higher amount
1947: Maintenance grant for single parents Also: War veterans pension, disability grants
and foster care grants were introduced
SOCIAL SECURITY IN SA, cont
Post 1994: SA has 6 non contributory, means tested state grants: Old age pension (and War veterans
pension):R1080.00 per month (+/-100 euros) Child support grant (which replaced
maintenance grant): R250.00 per month Foster care grant: R710.00 per month Disability grant: R1080.00 per month Care dependency grant: R1080 per month
SOCIAL SECURITY IN SA, cont
SA also has contributory social assistance measures: Unemployment Insurance Fund: Employed
people contribute to this fund and can claim benefits when unemployed and women on maternity leave can claim maternity benefits.
GAPS: There is no protection for never employed or those unemployed for long periods of time
SUCCESSES
Wide coverage: Nearly 14 million people get social security 66% of these are getting the CSG 18% are getting the OAP 12% are getting the DG
OAP supports entire households
SUCCESSES, cont
CSG linked with Improved school attendance Improved health in terms of growth Children who live with mothers more likely to
be getting the grant
CHALLENGES
Means test still excludes whole categories of people Child headed households Street children People who are just above the threshold Old people who own property but have low
income People who don’t have identity documents
CHALLENGES, cont
Unintended consequences HIV+ people not taking ARVs Recipients of grants not accepting part time
work (so they are not getting experience) Community perceptions that teens are falling
pregnant to access grant but leaving infant in care of grandparents
Low level of support, especially CSG, keeps people poor
CHALLENGES, cont
Concerns about Sustainability: only 10% of population pay
taxes Long term effects of ‘culture of dependency” in
terms of work seeking behaviour, sense of self worth and emotional well being
SOME QUESTIONS??
Is social security the best way to reduce poverty and inequality??
Is right to social security an “absolute” right? If social security is not comprehensive and universal,
can it be considered a human right? What is the role of social workers in ensuring that
those who are eligible, receive what is their “right”? What is the role of social workers in working towards
a better society (where social security would not be needed?)