May Day celebration: Ramaphosa says SA is moving towards Universal Basic Income cushion

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has told workers at Wednesday’s May Day celebrations that the country is moving towards a universal basic income grant.

He addressed thousands of Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), African National Congress (ANC) and South African Communist Party (SACP) supporters at Cape Town's Athlone stadium.

Ramaphosa also assured workers that their rights to collective bargaining and going on strike would still be protected.

READ: 'SA workers are reaping the fruits of their struggles': COSATU's Losi

The Universal Basic Income is an unconditional monthly stipend that would see South Africans.

While that grant has come under discussion in Parliament, it still hasn't materialised like the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. 

Ramaphosa said workers asked for the SRD to be extended until the introduction of the Universal Basic Income.

"It was you who said we want that to be extended until we get to a stage of having a basic income grant. And we are on the way to move in that direction."

Ramaphosa also assured workers they won’t lose any of their hard-won rights.

"Your collective bargaining rights are entrenched and are guaranteed so they will continue."

Ramaphosa said other policies advocated by unions like the National Health Insurance would soon come into effect.