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Resolution 30: Pensions act to preserve, consolidate and improve our collective social protection systems

30 November, 2012
Source: 
PSI

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

NOTES the following:

It is clear that since the last PSI Congress in Vienna, our social protection systems, essential tools for promoting fraternity, equality and liberty, have been under constant attack and even dismantled in many countries.

In the light of this situation, PSI and its affiliates

ARE

CONCERNED that governments are conducting a permanent campaign claiming that collective pension schemes are a drain on public finances and have reached their limits. They do not hesitate to question civil service and public sector pension schemes and allocations.

AFFIRM That the financial crisis and the slowdown in economic activity that we are experiencing is hitting public sector workers hard and shows the vulnerability of funded pension schemes, which are suffering from a decline in their relative performance. Some of them have even gone bankrupt. This is especially the case for many workers in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States of America.

REFUSE Any unilateral measures from governments, anywhere in the world, that harm the interests of workers and pensioners by lengthening the period of contributions, deferring the age of retirement, withdrawing family benefits and, in particular, lowering the level of pensions.

DECLARE That these policies are socially unacceptable and economically ineffective.

REFUSE The consequences of these measures, which are leading to a significant rise in unemployment among seniors and an explosion in the number of poor pensioners, without creating jobs for our young people.

In the light of this stark reality, and in addition to creating a specific working group on pensions, the PSI and its affiliates will organise a large-scale response to pressure governments to reverse their austerity policies, which inevitably promote social injustice and lead to the gradual disappearance of our public services.

 

See all Congress resolutions including the Program of Action and the Constitution.

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