From the south to the north, Public Services
International affiliate unions are working together across borders to end tax
havens, tax avoidance and corruption, and to bring in progressive tax systems
that are properly resourced and enforced. Tax justice enables public spending
for the common good, and provides the means for economic self-sufficiency for
municipal, regional and national governments.
PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli says: “Tax
justice is about social justice and fighting inequality. Tax justice is about
redistributing wealth by funding the vital public services such as health and
education that help end poverty and inequality. Reforming national, regional
and international tax systems and removing counter-productive tax incentives will
lead to substantially increased budgets for countries to finance the post-2015
agenda and pay for improved public services including education, healthcare,
clean water and sanitation, energy, housing, transportation, and development
initiatives.”
“PSI urges all of our affiliates to call on
their respective governments to ensure that corporations pay their fair share
of tax on their economic activity that takes place within national and regional
jurisdictions. Whether companies are extracting oil, gas or minerals, setting
up factories, or selling goods or services, people are deprived of their basic
needs and human rights if we don’t ensure that corporations pay their fair
share of taxes. This also means addressing race-to-the-bottom tax incentives
and tax competition policies on a regional basis.
Pavanelli emphasises that, “We are committed to
working with trade unions and civil society partners to achieve tax justice.
The best way to ensure that our governments can set the agenda for improving
public services and sustainable development is to mobilize domestic resources
through a strong progressive tax base.”
The United Nations designated the annual World
Public Services Day on 23 June to “honour those who accept the responsibilities
of service to humanity and who contribute to excellence and innovation in
public service institutions.”
Pavanelli notes, however, that: “We cannot
support the fact that the 2014 UN ceremony marking this day will be held in
South Korea, where the rights of public services workers are systematically
violated, and where the government refuses to pay heed to ILO Conventions and
Recommendations. The sad irony is that the host for this event is a
government which is actually dismantling public services.”
Please email PSIWebUpdates@world-psi.org if your union is
planning any special events to mark World Public Services Day on 23 June this
year, so we can promote your news and photos.
