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Public Funding/Tax Justice

The gap between the rich and the rest of us is growing rapidly. In many countries, the richest 1% pay less tax than everyone else. Profitable multinational corporations use loopholes and tax havens to avoid paying their share. Around the world, inequality is growing. A taxation system based on fairness and ability to pay is the first step in reversing this attack on the middle class.

Quebec unions campaign against tax havens

15 June 2017

The issue of tax havens has been on the public stage for several years now. The phenomenon has become more widespread over the last twenty years. Following the recent financial crisis, western countries have made a commitment to tackle tax havens, but as could be expected, little concrete action has been taken.

PSI at the Women's Rights and Tax Justice Convening in Bogota

14 June 2017
Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary

The Women's Rights and Tax Justice Convening kicks off on 13 June in Bogotá, Colombia with a conversation between Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary, Jose Antonio Ocampo, member of ICRICT and Chairman of the Board of Banco del República (Central Bank of Colombia) and Maria Nieves Rico, Director of Gender Affairs from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL).

Rosa Pavanelli's speech at the Women's Rights and Tax Justice Convening in Bogotá

13 June 2017
Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary

On 13 June, Rosa Pavanelli speaks at the Women's Rights and Tax Justice Convening in Bogota, Colombia during the dialogue session between PSI's General Secretary, Jose Antonio Ocampo, member of ICRICT and Chairman of the Board of Banco del República (Central Bank of Colombia) and Maria Nieves Rico, Director of Gender Affairs from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL). See the full speech here.

Funds flowing illicitly out of South Africa must end now!

18 May 2017

Trade Unions and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in South Africa met in Johannesburg on the 09th – 10th May 2017, under the theme “Curbing illicit financial flows for public sector development and public service delivery: The role of trade unions and civil society”.

Let us use May Day to fight for Tax Justice

02 May 2017

PSI's Tax Coordinator for the African region, Daniel Oberko, takes us through some of his perspectives on the importance of the workers movement in the fight for tax justice

PSI research paper explores options for sustainable and fair local and regional government funding

03 April 2017

PSI has just published a research briefing note that reviews options for local and regional governments (LRGs) to sustainably and progressively fund quality public services for local communities and tackle the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and increasing demands placed upon LRGs  in a context of shrinking resources, corporate tax avoidance and rising city and territory-based tax competition. The brief summarizes the related discussion paper, which is open for comments and contributions till the end of May 2017.

Inspiring campaigning! #TaxJustice for Women's Rights Global Days of Action

27 March 2017

The final week of the #TaxJustice for Women's Rights Global Days of Action has been extremely busy. These have been truly global days of action, as you will see from the photos, events and actions from around the world.

Tax the rich and fund healthcare

15 March 2017

There is consensus that health for all is critical for sustainable development. Lack of resources is often presented as the major challenge to achieving this. But the problem is not one of inadequate resources, it is a lack of political will to change the situation.

Water is Life. For some, water is profit. PSI says: PEOPLE OVER PROFIT!

09 March 2017
Flush out corporate tax dodgers

For more than 1,000 children every day, water is death. Waterborne diseases kill. It is estimated that half of all hospital beds are occupied by people suffering from waterborne diseases. These are preventable deaths.

#TaxJustice for Women’s Rights!

09 February 2017
Tax justice for women's rights

Join the #TaxJustice for Women’s Rights Global Days of Action campaign from 8-24 March 2017. Let’s take action to advance tax justice for women’s rights!

African union-led tax justice platforms throw their support behind ICRICT

05 December 2016

The PSI supported Tax Justice platforms in Nigeria and Ghana have declared their commitment to the Independent Commission on Reform of Corporate Taxation's most recent report, which highlights the urgent need for leaders to address tax avoidance and evasion by some of the world's biggest businesses.

PSI supports the release of ICRICT's second declaration

16 November 2016

"Four Ways to Tackle International Tax Competition" was launched on 15 November in Brussels by the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT).

The Nigerian Trade Union Platform on Tax Justice and Governance established

27 September 2016

From 22nd September to 23rd September 2016 a special workshop on Tax Justice for Workers was organized by PSI with support from the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung to help PSI affiliates and CSOs in Nigeria to build a campaign against corporate tax theft.

New 'Bahamas leaks' highlight poisoned revolving door between big business and politics

23 September 2016

High level politicians and corporate leaders across Europe have been named in yet another series of tax related leaks, this time from the Bahamas; an infamous tax haven.

No Gender Justice without Tax Justice

07 September 2016

PSI organised a two-day workshop with the participation of leading trade union and NGO gender and tax experts at the UNISON offices, in London, 30 June-1 July 2016. The activity aimed at strengthening the international debate about tax and highlighting the gender perspective.

Presentation: Tax Justice and Quality Public Services

17 October 2013

Presentation by Lidy Nacpil of Jubliee South - Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development, at an interactive workshop on tax justice, during the PSI Asia Pacific Quality Public Services Forum in Bangkok on 16 October 2013.

Unmasking Austerity: Lessons for Australia

23 September 2013

This report by Dexter Whitfield was prepared for the Don Dunstan Foundation and Public Service Association of South Australia and published by the Australian Workplace Innovation and Social Research Centre, University of Adelaide.

It documents why austerity failed and its disastrous economic and social effects in Europe and North America and highlights why Australia should not adopt these policies.

Speech by PSI General Secretary on the Financial Transactions Tax

12 September 2013

PSI general secretary Rosa Pavanelli participated in a demonstration in Washington D.C. on 20 April 2013 in favour of the Financial Transactions Tax.

Brochure: "Your Future in Public Hands"

07 June 2013

A compilation of PSI statements and background information for use by PSI delegates at the International Labour Conference ILC

Tax Justice: Talking points

27 May 2013

We pay. Why don't they?

Join with PSI in the growing global campaign for tax justice. Here are some talking points for discussion among your members. 

 

Strategic Activities Report: PSI at the World Social Forum, Tunis 2013

15 April 2013

Public Services International had the strongest global union presence at the World Social Forum 26-30 March 2013 in Tunis, Tunisia. PSI hosted and co-sponsored numerous events on trade union rights, youth, water, women’s issues, tax justice, energy and climate change.

A trade union guide to understanding the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

12 April 2013
Cover page toolkit "Engaging with the ADB for workers' rights"

This toolkit traces the advocacy measures the global unions federations (GUFs) have undertaken so far in engaging with the ADB in the implementation of Core Labour Standards in all loan operations. Global unions have been engaging in dialogue and negotiating for the creation of a Labor Desk or a similar structure at the ADB for some time now, so that there can be more responsive two-way engagements in the implementation of Core Labor standards (CLS) in all loan operations

Tax Justice for Social Justice

10 April 2013

The prevailing international tax rules and practices are more and more undermining the ability of governments in the Global South and the North to compel corporations and wealthy individuals to pay their fair share of taxes. Multinationals and wealthy individuals continue to dodge taxes with impunity, while tax competition has led to reduced tax burdens on corporations and financial wealth. As a result, ordinary people carry a disproportionately heavy burden of taxes and social services lack adequate resources to meet the needs of citizens.

Working for the alternative: Implementing PSI's mandate in 2013 and beyond

19 March 2013

The 2012 PSI World Congress provided a framework for Public Services International's discussions and decisions. However, it is necessary to focus priorities. This document presents a detailed implementation plan for PSI's mandate in 2013 and beyond.

Strengthening Public Services Social Dialogue in an Era of Austerity

14 March 2013

King’s College London has carried out a research project on "Managing workforce change: Strengthening public services social dialogue in an era of austerity". The project includes data from the UK, Netherlands, Czech Republic, France, Italy and Denmark.

PSI Congress Resolutions

12 March 2013

Resolutions adopted at the 29th World Congress of Public Services International, held in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012. The resolutions are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Japanese and Russian.

Resolution 14: The global fight-back against austerity

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 13: Taxation

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Corruption and public services - Summary

26 November 2012

Corruption is a poison that destroys people’s faith in public institutions, governments, and democracy itself.

PSIRU report: Corruption and public services

23 November 2012

Corruption is much more than a moral issue. It undermines public services and democracy. When citizens have to pay bribes to get healthcare or fair policing, or contracts are awarded to those who pay bribes, it threatens society as a whole.