The Citizen’s Basic Income to Build Democracy and Justice

According to the law, approved by consensus of all parties, in December 2002 in the Federal Senate, and in December 2003, in the Chamber of Deputies, and then sanctioned by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in January 8th, 2004, the Citizen’s Basic Income will be an annual monetary benefit, equal to all, sufficient to attend the basic needs of each person. It may be paid monthly, in equal parcels. Its level will consider the level of development of the nation and the financial possibilities. It will be instituted gradually, under the Executive criteria,

1 Eduardo Matarazzo Suplicy was born on June 21st, 1941 in São Paulo, Brazil. He completed his Bachelor’s at the School of Business Administration of São Paulo, of the Getúlio Vargas Foundation, where he became a Professor of Economics in 1966. In 1968 he completed his Master’s and in 1973 his Ph.D in Economics at Michigan State University. In 1978, he was elected State Representative at the State Assembly of São Paulo. In February 10th, 1980, he was one of the co-founders of the Partido dos Trabalhadores. In 1982, he became a Federal Representative. In 1988, he was elected City Councilman and President of the City Council of São Paulo. In 1990, 1998 and 2006 he was elected Senator representing the State of São Paulo and the Workers’ Party for three eight-year terms. As a Senator, he was able to approve the Law to institute a Citizen’s Basic Income that one day will become unconditional. His main book is « Renda de Cidadania. A Saída é pela Porta », edited by Fundação Perseu Abramo and Cortez Editora, 1st ed. 2002, 6th ed, 2010.

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taking into account those most in need in the first place, such as the Bolsa Família Program does today.