These are the central points in the Finnish initiative:
- A basic income should be introduced to an amount covering at least the present basic social security entitlements and it should be designed in such a way that it does not reduce the income or entitlements of low-income earners.
- The basic income should be seen as a citizen’s right to an income free of means testing.
- It would secure means necessary for a life of dignity as required both by the Finnish Constitution and international human rights conventions.
- It would secure a comprehensive income to all and in all situations, avoiding thereby that groups of people would be excluded from the social security systems. This is a requirement that has also been expressed by the Parliament’s Constitutional Law Committee during the reform of the basic rights and liberties provisions embedded in the present constitution.
- It should be unconditional, paid automatically to all persons independently of other incomes or choices in life.
As of February 2013, the initiative has 7,500 signatures.
The initiative at the campaign website:
http://perustulo.org/kansalaisaloite-perustulosta/aloiteteksti/#en