by Sandro Gobetti | Nov 28, 2015 | News
Several initiatives took place throughout Italy on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, held on October 17 this year. A public event in Rome tackled the theme of “Equal social dignity”.
A common document was signed by a number of civil society organizations and activist groups, including Basic Income Network Italy (BIN Italy), BIEN’s Italian chapter. One of the key points was “adequate legislation for income and dignity” as a way to counter new forms of poverty and precariousness. Three draft bills in favor of a guaranteed minimum income deposited in parliament in this legislature have not yet reached the stage of parliamentary debate.
BIN Italy’s President Luca Santini was among the many speakers at the event.
Click here for more information (in Italian).
by Sandro Gobetti | Nov 25, 2015 | News
On June 30 this year, the Italian campaign “100 days for a dignity income” ended with a public meeting in Rome, with the participation of representatives from civil society organizations and activist groups behind the campaign, and several MPs. Basic Income Network Italy (BIN Italy), BIEN’s Italian chapter, was among the campaign organizers.
70,000 signatures were collected to ask the Italian parliament to debate and approve a national law for a guaranteed minimum income (GMI). Two proposals for a GMI have been submitted to parliament. Neither has reached the stage of being debated by MPs. As part of the campaign, hundreds of public events, debates, workshops and flash mobs took place throughout the country.
The speakers for the final event were: Don Luigi Ciotti, president of Libera; Giuseppe De Marzo, Miseria Ladra; Sandro Gobetti, BIN Italy; Alessandro Di Battista, M5S MP; Nunzia Catalfo, M5S MP; Arturo Scotto, Sel MP; Loredana De Petris, SEL MP; Stefano Iandiorio, CILAP; Riccardo Laterza, Rete della Conoscenza; Filippo Miraglia, Arci; Elena Monticelli, Act!; Mapi Pizzolante, Tilt.
Source: BIN Italy, Roma 30 giugno alla Camera dei Deputati per un reddito di dignità [Rome, June 30, Meeting at the House of Commons for a ‘dignity income’], no date.
For more information about the campaign see the following stories published by BIN Italy:
https://www.bin-italia.org/informa.php?ID_NEWS=621
https://www.bin-italia.org/informa.php?ID_NEWS=659
https://www.bin-italia.org/informa.php?ID_NEWS=633
https://www.bin-italia.org/informa.php?ID_NEWS=631
https://www.bin-italia.org/informa.php?ID_NEWS=629
https://www.bin-italia.org/informa.php?ID_NEWS=627
by Sandro Gobetti | Nov 24, 2015 | News
On March 26 this year, representatives of the Basic Income Network Italy (BIN Italy) were heard by the Labour Commission of the Italian Senate, one of the houses of parliament, about the possibility of introducing a national guaranteed minimum income (GMI). The Commission has been discussing this issue for some time, as various draft bills in favor of a GMI have been promoted by different parties – the label “citizenship’s income” is used in some of these proposals. BIN Italy, BIEN’s Italian chapter, was asked to provide legal, technical, political and social reasons in support of a GMI.
BIN Italy argued for a GMI that is individual, given to all residents, linked to other forms of indirect income, and accessible to all those who are entitled to it. According to BIN Italy, the GMI should provide for an acceptable minimum threshold, as requested by EU regulations. It should encourage individual autonomy and freedom of choice in one’s own personal and professional path.
Read BIN Italy’s report delivered to the Italian Senate’s Labour Commission here.
Source: BIN Italy, “Roma 26 marzo il BIN Italia in audizione al Senato per reddito garantito [Rome, March 26, BIN Italy in Senate hearing for guaranteed income]”, BIN Informa, No date.
by Sandro Gobetti | Nov 21, 2015 | News
The first meeting of a European working group on minimum income was held on October 20, 2015 at the European Parliament. While the event was advertised at the pan-European level with the label “minimum income”, many of its participants are in favor of an unconditional basic income. The discussion developed around the synergies and differences between campaigns for a guaranteed minimum income and universal basic income advocacy.
The meeting was organized by the Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL). It was an important opportunity for in-depth discussions between Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), key experts, and various political and activist organizations like Basic Income Network Italy, BIEN’s Italian chapter.
You can listen to the audio of the event (in Italian) here.
The objectives of the first meeting were:
– to hold an initial exchange of views on the state of minimum income and basic income at the pan-European and individual member states’ level;
– to discuss the possibility of submitting a parliamentary inquiry;
– to discuss a plan of action for 2016.
CHAIRS:
Eleonora Forenza (MEP GUE/NGL); Paloma López Bermejo (MEP GUE/NGL)
INVITED PARTICIPANTS:
Francisco Soriano (European Economic & Social Committee); Anne van Lancker (European Minimum Income Network); Fintan Farrell (European Minimum Income Network); Miguel Laparra; Izquierda Unida; Sandro Gobetti (Basic Income Network Italy); Rachel Serino (Basic Income Network Italy); Philippe Van Parijs (Université de Louvain; Chair of BIEN International Advisory Board); Gabriella Stramaccioni (Libera Contro La Mafia); Roberta Fantozzi (Rifondazione Comunista); Elena Monticelli (ACT!); Cristina Morini (writer and Journalist); Teresa Di Martino (Femministe Nove); Maria Pia Pizzolante (TILT).
The original announcement from the website of the Basic Income Network Italy is available here.
