Hawaii considers country's first Universal Basic Income

[inanna]

By Greg Nichols for Robotics | September 5, 2017 -- 09:49 GMT

The controversial proposal, which is gaining traction in the state legislature, would attempt to counteract jobs lost to automation with a guaranteed living wage

State lawmakers in Hawaii have voted to explore the nation's first Universal Basic Income (UBI).

A controversial idea, though one that's gained traction amid fears of the impact of automation on global economies, a UBI would guarantee a living wage to every citizen, regardless of employment status.

Hawaii has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 2.9 percent, but many of the state's jobs are in low-paying industries like agriculture and hospitality. By some estimates, one in six Hawaiians live below the poverty line.

Making matters worse, agriculture and service sector jobs are primed to be replaced by robots.

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http://www.zdnet.com/article/hawaii-considers-the-countrys-first-universal-basic-income-on-fears-of-robots-and-automation/

[dhill926]

1. will be interesting to follow this...

[BigmanPigman]

2. It is very expensive to live there. Even a jar of peanut butter is ridiculously

expensive. Many have to work two jobs due to the high cost of living. I hope this effort gets some traction.