by Karl Widerquist | Jun 27, 2012 | Research
Storlund, Vivan (December 2011) “Basic Income: How it fits in the Policy Framework for Green Jobs” in Saviour Rizzo (ed.) Green Jobs From A Small State Perspective. Case Studies From Malta, Belgium: the Green European Foundation, pp. 55-66.
The basic argument in this paper is based on the premise that when green is the qualifying criterion for work rather than profit or economic growth, the world of work and the economic scenario in which it has to operate assume a different dimension. The focus of this new dimension is here placed on work performed in the intersection between employment and entrepreneurship. This is a grassroots level hibernation sphere for innovation and thus also a fertile breeding ground for green jobs. A green job in this context is being associated with meaningful work. What makes work meaningful is its potential to enable the worker to participate meaningfully and creatively in the life of society in less materialistic ways. This does not however mean that the instrumental value of work has to be ignored. In whatever perspective work is perceived it ultimately has to assure one’s survival and well being. Herein lies the principle of basic income. This paper challenges the conventional economic theory of pay and argues that a national and/or macro policy of basic income can be very conducive to the creation and sustenance of green jobs.
The book can be downloaded as a PDF at:
https://gef.eu/publication/green-jobs-from-a-small-state-perspective-case-studies-from-malta/
A review of the book is online at:
https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120513/books/It-s-up-to-us-to-green-the-economy.419752
by Yannick Vanderborght | Jun 26, 2012 | News
In a lengthy documentary about the European Union, the Belgium French-speaking TV Channel RTBF reported on the European Citizen’s Initiative on basic income, which is about to be launched. The report includes an interview with Philippe Van Parijs, and a discussion with Belgian citizens who are actively involved in the preparation of the initiative, such as Pierre-Yves Ryckaert.
The video is available at: https://www.rtbf.be/info/monde/dossier/l-europe-et-vous/detail_c-est-ca-l-europe?id=7793725
Discussion of basic income initiative starts at 29’44”
by Yannick Vanderborght | Jun 19, 2012 | News
The Basic Income European Network (BIEN) was founded in Belgium in 1986. But until now Belgium itself had no national basic income network. This could change, thanks to the initiative of Dutch-, French- and German-speaking activists, who have organized a meeting in Brussels in order to launch a national network. An invitation has been circulated through social networks, and a provisional website has been launched. All Belgian residents are welcome to take part in this first meeting (prior registration avalaible online).
Website: https://www.basicincome.be/
Practical details: June 27, 2012 at 6PM, at the Facultés universitaires Saint-Louis, Building Rue du Marais, n°119, Room 2100, 1000 Brussels
by Yannick Vanderborght | May 23, 2012 | News
In the late 1990’s, Belgian businessman Roland Duchâtelet founded ‘Vivant’, a single-issue political movement focused on the introduction of a basic income in Belgium. Even if ‘Vivant’ never became a significant political force, Duchâtelet kept promoting basic income at various occasions. On June 7, 2012, he will give a conference on the following topic: “How can we build an harmonious and sustainable economy?”.
The conference will take place in Charleroi (BE) on June 7, 2012 at 6PM.
Location: Salle de conférence de la BNP Paribas Fortis, rue Ferrer, 600 Charleroi (entrée Boulevard Tirou 100).
Further information and registration: https://www.foficharleroi.be/
by Yannick Vanderborght | Apr 12, 2012 | News
This talk by Guy Standing is organized within the framework of the monthly Forum of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI). ETUI is the independent research and training centre of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
Briefing:
At the April gathering of ETUI’s Monthly Forum Guy Standing will present his new book The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class which provides a valuable analysis of the composition of the present globalised labour market in which precariousness has become a structural element. He argues that neo-liberal policies and institutional changes have produced a huge and increasing proportion of people with sufficiently common experiences to be called an emerging class. The Precariat is comprised by the growing number of people across the world living and working precariously, usually in a series of short-term jobs, without recourse to stable occupational identities or careers, stable social protection or protective regulations relevant to them. Standing argues that this class of people could produce new instabilities in society. Why is this new class growing, what political dangers does it represent and how might these be addressed are the main questions which Guy Standing will discuss.
Speaker:
Guy Standing, honorary co-president of BIEN, and Professor of Economic Security at the University of Bath
Commentators:
Judith Kirton-Darling, Confederal Secretary ETUC (TBC)
Laurent Vogel, Director of the Working Conditions, Health and Safety Department ETUI
Moderator:
Philippe Pochet, General Director ETUI
Friday, 27 April 2012, 13h15-14h45, ITUH, Bd du Roi Albert II, 5, 1210 Brussels, room B.
A light lunch will be served from 13h00 onwards in front of the room. To register for this event: Nar Bilgic
ETUI’s website: https://www.etui.org/
