A renda básica universal como direito de trabalhadoras do cuidado

Abstract

This research assumes as a premise that care work, essential for the maintenance of life, is socially and economically undervalued. This undervaluation reflects gender inequality, since this labor is historically assigned as a women's responsibility. In addition, labor law and social security law were designed with gender, race and coloniality demarcation. That said, labor law is applied to a small group of workers, while social security is aimed at paid workers that contribute to the Estate with taxes. In this context, care work and women who provide it are relegated to a marginalization of rights. Thus, it’s crucial to rethink the meaning of work, expanding the definition of work that has value. For this purpose, we will use universal basic income as a subject of analysis. Universal basic income is a mechanism that provides money regularly, individually, and without conditionality for all. Our question is: “Can universal basic income be an effective instrument to provide recognition, retribution, and regulation of unpaid care work, and reaffirm those workers as entitled to rights? What is the impact on a more equal distribution of care work between the genders?”. To provide an answer to this question, the research was based on a feminist methodology. Our research tools were: literature review of the main academic works on the topic written in Portuguese and English; key labor laws doctrinaires; national care legislation. The study revealed that the efficiency of universal basic income as a care workers right depends on how it is applied. The challenge of giving a direct answer lies in the lack of experiences and empirical studies on universal basic income from a gender perspective. With that, if universal basic income were applied, followed by the withdrawal of social benefits, labor law and social security dismantling, and with insufficient funds for subsistence, it could exacerbate gender inequalities. On the other hand, the implementation of income at an adequate amount for subsistence, followed by measures for the reduction of gender inequality and care distribution, without leans to a reduction on the conquered rights, would be ideal not only for care workers, but also for society as a whole. In summary, for the application of universal basic income, it is necessary to focus on a gender and care perspective. This perspective allows us to think of basic income as a tool for guaranteeing rights, restructuring labor, and expanding democracy.