We've moved to a new site!

Join us at publicservices.international - for all the latest news, resources and struggles from around the world.

We are no longer updating world-psi.org and it will be progressively phased out: all content will be migrated to the new site and old links will redirect eventually.

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.

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).

To create development we need innovative financing

16 October 2012

"It is time that we embrace the concept of a financial transactions tax". This is the message from world leaders and civil society who met recently to discuss innovative financing for development.

ITUC: Do not let troika dictate destructive austerity policies

15 October 2012
Sharan Burrow

The idea that you can create ‘growth through austerity’ is an illusion that has destroyed millions of people’s livelihoods. Do not to let troika dictate destructive austerity policies, says Sharan Burrow to IMF.

UK: Campaign against privatisation

15 October 2012
Nurse and elderly person

Shouldn't your health come before profits? British UNISON asks in their new campaign to stop privatisation of your public services.

Huge step forward towards a financial transaction tax

10 October 2012

When European finance ministers met in Brussel on October 9, eleven countries agreed to implement a financial transaction tax. Even more countries might join in.

IMF promotes public spending rather than cuts to prevent new global crisis

09 October 2012
Two children holding a poster

The International Monetary Fund urges European and US leaders to promote growth instead of cuts in public spending to avoid dragging down the global economy with another financial crisis.

PSI signs on letter with recommendations to new World Bank president

05 October 2012

Financial transaction tax is a source of innovative finance, writes PSI and 42 other organisations in a letter to the World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim.

PSI co-sponsors film tour of inspiring documentary

03 October 2012

PSI, through the Quality Public Services—Action Now! global campaign, is co-sponsoring a Canadian tour of the award-winning documentary We Are Wisconsin.