There is a belief in some quarters that the present universal basic income (UBI) debate is being motivated by the wish to gain political popularity and win votes at the 2020 elections and such is the nature of democratic politics. Therefore, it is quite surprising that the Guyana government: one of the 193 countries that has committed to the 2016 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that require its implementing UBI kinds of arrangements, did not take the wind out of the sails of all proposers by simply constructing the present UBI demand as a part of the UN process. Instead, in this highly political environment it unnecessarily dithers and now; confronted by a largely skewed debate (since the most important principle has been set) it appears to be blowing in the wind!
The government committed itself and its successors to ‘Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.’ The UN document says that ‘floors’ may include UBIs: they are ‘a basic set of essential social rights and transfers in cash and kind to provide a minimum income and livelihood security for all and to facilitate effective demand for and access to essential goods and services’ (SN: Future Notes, 22/08/2018).
