WELFARE

The IFP Welfare Policy is committed to developmental welfare and focuses on a partnership between government and civil society to provide welfare through the empowerment of those in need. The desired result would be an ethic of self-reliance, self-help and self-responsibility.

Although the State is ultimately responsible for the provision of social security and welfare to those in need, it should do so only after all other avenues have been exhausted. The private sector, NGO’s and volunteer organisations should play the primary role in the delivery of welfare services.

Provincial competence

In terms of the IFP’s policy the devolution of power, in respect of legislative and administrative competence, to provincial level is desirable.

Population control

The IFP believes that incentives should be designed, at the family level, in order to manage population size and balance in relation to the economic growth rate and resource base of South Africa. The establishment of a separate ministry to deal with population matters should be investigated.

State pensions and social grants

Expenditure on social grants and state pensions needs to be minimised through more effective management and targeting. The IFP favours stricter enforcement of the means test, compulsory retirement and pension schemes for those in formal employment. Corruption must be eliminated.

Other welfare issues

The IFP Welfare Policy emphasises the value of healthy families and in this regard addresses the following issues:

• Accessibility of child maintenance and disability grants;
• Integration of the disabled into a social life;
• Care for the elderly;
• Child abuse and the rights of children;
• Alcohol and drug abuse;
• Adoption procedures; and
• Procedures for dealing with HIV sufferers and Aids patients.