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Multinationals

Globalisation has given rise to extraordinarily large and powerful multinational enterprises (MNEs). Many are active in sectors providing essential public services, including water and sanitation, health and social services, energy, waste collection and treatment. Some have earnings that dwarf some national economies. MNEs scan the world for natural resources, tax havens, the lowest environmental standards, and the lowest wages. They relentlessly assert their rights to profit in international institutions, tax and trade agreements.

Global Framework Agreements

Within this context, Global Framework Agreements (GFAs) negotiated between global trade union federations and multinational enterprises are a tool for trade unions with direct membership in such companies to build power, assert their members’ rights and conditions, resolve outstanding conflicts, improve social dialogue and working conditions. GFAs set a threshold of human and labour rights and conditions beyond minimum national and international standards that signatory MNEs commit to abide by. They also help connect and build solidarity among trade unions and workers of the same MNEs across national boundaries.

PSI has negotiated three GFAs with multinational corporations active in the energy sector: these are EDF Group, ENGIE (formerly GDF-Suez) and ENEL, plus a specific agreement with ENGIE (formerly GDF-Suez) on occupational safety and health (OSH).

Norwegian affiliate press charges against private health company

21 August 2018
Mette Nord, President of Fagforbundet.

"This is a very serious matter, where a large and professional private health company has taken advantage of our members," says Mette Nord, President of Fagforbundet.

UN Working Group takes key step towards binding international treaty on Business and Human Rights

24 July 2018

After over a decade of advocacy efforts from civil society and unions, the UN Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with respect to Human Rights (OEIGWG), has made available a draft binding instrument on business and human rights.

Renegotiated Global Framework Agreement with EDF Group enters into force

25 June 2018

On 19 June, national trade union federations representing a majority of EDF Group workers affiliated to PSI and IndustriAll completed the signature of the renewed Global Framework Agreement on Corporate Social Responsibility with EDF Group, which entered in full force as of 21 June for a 4-year term.

PSI and IndustriALL sign renegotiated Global Framework Agreement with EDF Group

28 May 2018

On 29 May 2018 PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli, IndustriAll General Secretary Valter Sanchez and EDF Group CEO Jean-Bernard Lévy signed a renewed Global Framework Agreement on Corporate Social Responsibility covering human and labour rights in the presence of the International Labour Organization Director General Guy Ryder, during the 107th session of the International Labour Conference with the participation of French trade unions .

The Alternative World Water Forum has begun!

20 March 2018

Academics, social movements, trade unions and civil society organisations are meeting in Brasilia until 22 March to discuss how to resist the commodification of water in the world.

Brazilian government wants Google's help to approve the pension reform

19 January 2018

According to a story published in the newspaper "O Globo", the website would conduct searches for the subject to official government content. The possible association receives criticism for trying to manipulate the population, using personal data of the Internet user and for violating the right of access to information and freedom of expression.

AFSCME: tax bill showers billions in tax cuts on private corporations

22 December 2017

The stealth provision added to the tax bill most especially benefits real-estate investors such as the president, according to Forbes, which estimates that Trump could see tax cut of as much as $11 million for a single year.

PSI Guidelines on the Conclusion of International Agreements with Multinational Enterprises

29 August 2012

Public Services International has published these guidelines for negotiating and concluding international agreements with multinational enterprises.

Impact of the economic crisis and austerity measures on women

04 July 2012

Women are losing jobs in both the private and public sectors, which has an immediate effect on household income but a much longer term effect on the role of women in the labour force.

Annual Report 2010

05 April 2011

In the face of widening cuts to public services and attacks on the rights of public sector workers around the world, leaders of private and public sector trade unions, municipal governments and civil society groups made the unprecedented joint commitment to work together to promote investment in quality public services backed by fair taxation policies as the key solution to the economic crisis, and the best way to build peaceful, equitable, democratic and environmentally-sustainable societies.

GDF-Suez Global Agreement on Fundamental Rights, Social Dialogue and Sustainable Development (2010)

16 November 2010

GDF SUEZ, the world’s second largest gas, water services, and electric utility, Public Services International (PSI), IndustriALL, and the Building and Woodworkers International (BWI) and are committed to the “Global Agreement on Fundamental Rights, Social Dialogue, and Sustainable Development”. The agreement contains best practice language on trade union rights.

Annual Report 2009

03 April 2010

Environmental and social sustainability provided the primary theme for PSI’s work in 2009. Leading into the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen in December, trade unions and civil society allies worked hard to ensure that world leaders would agree on an ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions. Alas, this dream did not become reality. But we are committed to continuing this struggle and achieving real results.

Annual Report 2008

03 April 2009

Looking back at 2008 the one word that comes to mind is CHANGE. We saw a dramatic change in the global economy, it was the keyword in the US election and we initiated changes in PSI.

EDF Group on corporate social responsibility (2009)

25 January 2009

The agreement, effective in all countries in which Electricite de France (EDF Group) has controlling companies, affirms a commitment to uphold all Fundamental ILO Core Conventions on Trade Union and workers' rights, UN Declarations on Human Rights, and the ten principles of the UN's Global Compact.