[TFYS]

The fairness comes from the effects that would have on society. Reduced crime, reduced stress, more freedom, more demand for labor, etc. These effects would have positive effects on the economy and that could increase your salary in addition to the other benefits of a safer, fairer society. The happiest countries on earth are the ones that are closest to implementing this kind of thing.

You'd still be getting a lot more than the ones that do nothing. I doubt you'd stop working just because 5% of your income gets given away if the option is to live on 10% of what you're getting by working.

[lan321]

10% isn't covering rent and food for most people, though. Unless we assume that universal income would send the artists into deserted villages to live on bread and salt. I'm quite stingy, and my rent is 15% of my monthly salary, which is above average for a software engineer. Probably another 5% on that for food, and I practically never eat out and usually buy what's on sale. The only way 10% will work is if I move to the sticks or live in someone's closet. And that's not even including smaller costs such as medical, clothing, tech and misc purchases, transportation, etc. At the same time I'm now earning above average and shoving all of it into shares to secure myself a small "universal income" of my own. Give me universal income guaranteed not to get removed over the next 40-50 years, and I'm becoming a NEET.

[TFYS]

The number was just an example. My point was that even if we provide a basic income that covers all basic needs, you'd still get a much better life by working. Housing, food and healthcare is already provided for everyone in many countries, even to people that refuse to work. The only difference between that an a basic income is some bureaucracy. Some people do choose to become NEET, but it's a very small minority, as that kind of life is not very satisfying in the long term.