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

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?)