Next Steps

PSI Building Stronger Sector Engagement 

This blog has been part of the PSI Asia Pacific Local Government and Utilities Network for around 10 years , with over 2335 posts. 

The Network it itself dates back till the late 1990's, including the engagement in building Networks through resolution of Resolution 34 at PSI Congress 2012 . https://gmpsiaprec.blogspot.com/2012/11/resolution-psi-sector-networksworld.html

Resolution 34 / 2012 (below) …..strengthened and rolled out not just the informal structures also argued the informal Networks would need to be strengthened to provide more formal structures , including . 
"  That PSI should in addition to the affiliate networks examine thoroughly which existing or future structures are most useful for sectorial work within PSI. This should involve solid and dependable structures that would work closely with the PSI Secretariat. Informal networks are a first start but will not be enough in the longer term " 

PSI Congress end of 2017 , took further steps , to invest , support, resource and build on this work with more formal use and mainstreaming of sector activities, including in the Asia Pacific Region , having dedicated responsibilities through its Staff . Section 7 of the current program of Action states - 

"Making Sectors Stronger, details the important role of sectors in PSI’s struggle. It outlines how equalities, cross-cutting issues, privatisation and trade union rights work will be incorporated and driven through sectoral work. It sets out how we will strengthen our sector networks and organise to defend our affiliates and their members. It lists specific action for each of PSI’s five sectors."  (this includes Utilities and Local Government )
http://congress.world-psi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/EN-Introduction-to-the-PoA.pdf

PSI has also strengthened its Sector engagement with the employment and assignment of dedicated Sector Officers/Responsibilities at a Global level and more recently within the Asia Pacific Region with - 

Raman Kannan - taking responsibility for Local Government across the Region. Kannan is also the full time PSI Sub Regional Secretary for the South Asia Sub Region .

Ian Mariano - taking responsibility for Utilities . Ian is also the full time PSI Sub Regional  Secretary for the South East Region.

PSI Asia Pacific Region Contacts - 
Kate Lappin Regional Secretary for the Asia Pacific Region  kate.lappin@world-psi.org

Ian Mariano Sub-Regional Secretary for South East Asia ian.mariano@world-psi.org 

Kannan Raman Sub-Regional Secretary for South Asia kannan.raman@world-psi.org

PSI Global Contacts - 

David Boys – Deputy General Secretary – Utilities david.boys@world-psi.org 
Daria Cibrario - Local and Regional Government Officer daria.cibrario@world-psi.org  

You can also contact Raman and Ian at 

https://www.facebook.com/PSIAPRO/posts/1524036660964280

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Radio Labour - This week includes How municipal unions can fight perilous work

RadioLabour's World Report for the week October 29 to November 2, 2018 has been posted. 
* Labour wants UN to help stop the killing of journalists
* How municipal unions can fight perilous work
* The LabourStart report about union events
* And singing: "The Workers’ Song"
 The World Report is available at: http://www.radiolabour.net/rl-world-021118.html

PSI - UN World Cities Day 2018,

https://tinyurl.com/y8c9azv3
On UN World Cities Day 2018, PSI calls the United Nations, governments and mayors to halt the widespread use of precarious work in local and regional government services that hurts local communities, undermines the quality and accessibility of local public services, and stands in the way of achieving sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities (SDG11).

Read the article: https://tinyurl.com/y8c9azv3

Joint PSI-UCLG Statement at ICLS 2018

On UN International Day for Disaster Prevention, PSI calls on UN to focus on public emergency workers and warns of increasing climate chaos

Read online: http://www.world-psi.org/en/13-october-international-day-disaster-prevention

On UN International Day for Disaster Prevention, PSI calls on UN to focus on public emergency workers and warns of increasing climate chaos.

On 13 October, PSI salutes the first responders and frontline workers who give so much to help others. These firefighters, emergency medical technicians, health workers and a range of other professionals spend untold hours training and preparing to protect our communities, to save people and reduce suffering. Because of their commitment, emergency workers put themselves in danger, leave their families to work under the most dangerous conditions imaginable.

PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli says: “The UN system is right to focus on reducing exposure to disasters. These disasters can wipe out years of development work, leaving families and communities destroyed and impoverished. Most countries need more investment in prevention, and in ensuring that emergency workers have the tools and training to do their jobs. So we encourage all governments to recognize the risks assumed by emergency workers".

But there is still another point which has to be stressed. Emergency or disaster response is largely conducted by public service workers, yet the international community focuses almost exclusively on volunteers.

"This is an anomaly that must be fixed if we are to improve local capabilities to reduce exposure to disasters. In this direction, we call attention to the ILO Guidelines on Public Emergency Services which can provide valuable guidance to policy makers.”

Alone in 2018, one need only look at a range of disasters where emergency service workers have been called out to save people and protect communities. Regrettably, the list is not exhaustive, and does not include conflicts:

·          Wildfires in Greece, Sweden, Portugal, USA, Canada, and more

·          Drought :  Cape Town South Africa is the most visible, but many regions are affected, including notably Australia

·          Floods, mudslides: Japan, Kerala state, India

·          Hurricanes, cyclones :  Florence and Michael in the USA; Mangkhut Philippines; cyclone Josie Fiji

·          Earthquakes (tsunamis; mudslides; earth liquefaction, etc.) Indonesia (twice); Papua New Guinea; Hualien Taiwan

·          Volcano : Mount Fuego Guatemala

Climate chaos

This same week, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) delivered a special report on the state of global warming. This report says that we should not go beyond the 1.5°C limit set in Paris and warns that a 2°C rise will have dire consequences, worse than anticipated even a few years back. 

The IPCC special report on global warming deserves more in-depth consideration as regardless of which actions governments agree, our communities need to adapt to more extreme weather events. This means that we must prepare for more disaster, train and deploy more emergency workers.

Pavanelli still reminds that "regrettably, we are seeing attacks not only on workers’ rights, but on community activists. In the UK, protesters have been jailed for opposing shale gas fracking, in Germany it is protesters blocking the proposals to mine coal in the Hamback forest. Around the world, those who stand in the way of corporate profits are criminalised and repressed. So there is an urgent need to unpack the links between corporate profits, climate chaos and emergencies and disasters".

Local Government Super , less investment in coal

 " Includes the position of Local Government Super , less investment in coal " 

ABC program The Business featuring Bill Hartnett discussing LGS’ investment restrictions on coal and coal-fired power generation: http://www.abc.net.au/…/cranking-up-coal-for-an-as…/10357410

About this website

ABC.NET.AU

Cranking up coal for an Asian boom

The coal lobby and the government reckon that coal exports have a bright future, but the numbers tell a different story.

New York City’s pension funds have announced a new goal to double the investments of the NYC Funds in climate change solutions

https://www.globalclimateactionsummit.org/mayor-and-comptroller-announce-pension-fund-goal-to-invest-4-billion-in-climate-change-solutions-by-2021/


" New York City’s pension funds have announced a new goal to double the investments of the NYC Funds in climate change solutions to $4 billion or 2% of the City’s $195 billion pension portfolio over the next 3 years. In order to accomplish this objective, City pension systems will aim to double the existing $2 billion investment across all asset classes to reach $4 billion of investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other climate solutions. This new target builds upon the funds earlier, ongoing goal to divest City pension funds from fossil fuel reserve owners within five years. " 

Read the full article at https://www.globalclimateactionsummit.org/mayor-and-comptroller-announce-pension-fund-goal-to-invest-4-billion-in-climate-change-solutions-by-2021/

STRIKE in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, India.-

Around 22000 contract workers of Health and sanitation wing of GHMC are on strike for 

1.Regularization of services of all contracts and outsourcing employees working in GHMC.
2. Health cards to all GHMC employees.
3. Restore and reverse back all the transferred SFAS to their previous places.
4 Fixation of remuneration to all health and sanitation workers to Rs 25000.

[Message given by Adil Sheriff, Indian National Municipal & Local Bodies Workers Federation, see below photo) 

The second day strike is on going. The main demand is regularising contract workers, secondly to pay minimum Rs25000 till workers are regularised. 

https://www.facebook.com/689872361/posts/10155933296117362/
(Video message of Adil Sheriff)

Above advice and photos from Raman Kannan PSI South Asia Sub Regional Secretary face book page 

Child Care update from Sweden - by EPSU

Union celebrates success in influencing pre-school curriculum

The Kommunal municipal workers' union is celebrating a successful mobilisation of workers to secure changes to the pre-school curriculum. The first draft of the curriculum had nothing to say about the role of childcare workers and so Kommunal used its influence on the ministry of education while its members ensured that childcare workers were the biggest group providing input into the curriculum consultation. The revised curriculum now acknowledges the key role of childcare workers and is seen by the union as an important step in furthering the professional status of the occupation.

Read more at Kommunal (SV) Or at https://www.kommunal.se/nyhet/stor-seger-barnskotarna-tar-plats-i-nya-laroplanen

OECD Publication - roles of Cities and Regions in delivering on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Reshaping Decentralised Development Co-operation The Key Role of Cities and Regions for the 2030 Agenda Over the last decades, and in line with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, cities and regions have played an important part in helping to implement global agendas at local level through their Decentralised Development Cooperation (DDC) activities.  Read and Share .  " This report, while heavily European focused, provides examples of cross Local Government cooperation , including internationally, the role of UN - Habitat and reminds us of the role of Local Government in delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The report is well worth a read, for those interested in this debate, provides number of examples and quotes, including Local Government working with other Local Governments (PUPs as alternatives to the failed PPP's model) as well as Local Authorities working with NGOs, in traditional development models " - Greg Mclean  If the above link does not work please use https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/urban-rural-and-regional-development/reshaping-decentralised-development-co-operation_9789264302914-en#page1 (The above OECD advice, is provided from the OECD New Publications Bulletin)

Another re Municipalisation story , this time on Electricity and from Spain ...

https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/barcelona-energia-flicks-the-switch_683855.html

" Barcelona Energia, the metropolitan electricity distributor, starts operating on 1 July with the intention of playing an active role in the energy market, making it fairer, more efficient and sustainable. The company starts out by covering the electricity needs of the City Council and the rest of the municipal companies, as well as street lighting. As from January 2019, its services will also be available to the general public. The use of the company is expected to represent an annual saving of  71,000 euros." 

" Besides saving money, the public distributor aims to head the transition towards  energy sovereignty in the city by backing renewable local power generation and encouraging more responsible and rational energy consumption." 

The above paragraphs (and photo) are quotes from the article located at 

https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/barcelona-energia-flicks-the-switch_683855.html

Australia - PSI Affiliates are challenging a State Government all the way to the Countries High court

PSI affiliates including the ETU, USU, HSU and Nurses and Midwives as well as ITF affiliates the RTBU are challenging the right of the State Government to Legislate to reduce the amount of monies Unions, Community groups and Third party Campaigners can spend in a combined way as part of Union and Civil Society campaigns at Election time as well ads other opportunities .

The articles have been reported in range of newspaper and on line media , which include comments from some of the Countries most Senior Constitutional Lawyers , see article at  https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/unions-file-high-court-challenge-to-nsw-electoral-funding-laws-20180809-p4zwl9.html 
Additional articles at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/12/unions-nsw-to-fight-berejiklian-government-campaign-rules-in-high-court 

The peak Local Government Association for Local Government (Councils) and Elected Councillors has also expressed similar Concerns see 
https://www.lgnsw.org.au/news/media-release/media-release-call-urgent-inquiry-election-funding-law 
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/urgent-fix-needed-for-election-funding-laws-say-nsw-councils-20180808-p4zwac.html 

Investing Superannuation (pension funds) for the Public Good - " Ideal investments for superannuation funds and borrowing vehicles for local and state governments to fund public assets without controversial privatisation."

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1E3_zIOXi-In1hncUS4Q5xw5F3mtZhQba 

The McKell Institute (based in Australia) has prepared a paper entitled 
Investing Superannuation for the Public Good: Creating new markets to benefit members and fund necessary investments by Professor Anthony Asher (Associate Professor at the UNSW Business School) and Esther Rajadurai of the McKell Institute.

The report was sought to look at the increasing role and opportunities that Superannuation Funds can play in the development of infrastructure , including Public Sector Owned and Operated.   

Report Conclusion - (extract from report ) 

 " Over the past few decades, there has been a significant shift in attitudes towards investments and superannuation. Ethical investing has become part of the mainstream and increasingly, members of super funds are determined to make sure that their super funds are invested in ethical, social and responsible companies and funds. Trustees have increasingly made more explicit commitments to monitoring the risks posed by ESG issues and making positive impacts in their choice of investments. These fulfill their fiduciary obligations to seek the best financial interests of their beneficiaries and are by no means restricted by the Sole Purpose Test.

Infrastructure is already beginning to take its place as a separate asset class, and trustees can use their significant assets more intentionally, in assisting governments fund public infrastructure.
This report suggests that Indexed Annuity Bonds can be adapted to provide lower risk inflation linkages for borrowers and longevity protection for investors. As such, they would be ideal investments for superannuation funds and borrowing vehicles for local and state governments to fund public assets without controversial privatisation.

The call is for trustees and governments to collaborate to develop a market in these instruments that benefits superannuation members and encourages the development of appropriate infrastructure.
Global capital is a dominant force in the world today and the capital invested and held by super funds can be used for the good of the nation. Through proper stewardship of the assets and government collaboration, super funds can be managed to create sustainable and long term value for their members and the broader community " 

The report was prepared due to sponsorship from UNIONS NSW, and is a project pursed by The Unions NSW Superannuation Committee , which includes Australian PSI Affiliates based in the State of New South Wales (NSW) 

News on privatization of public services around the world - by Public Services International

http://campaigns.world-psi.org/t/ViewEmail/r/67F2B1FC9E77CD7D2540EF23F30FEDED/20BCEE507284978AFCACEB58A033025D 

News on privatization of public services around the world - by Public Services International

Debt sustainability and Financing for Development

Photo: Sergsta/Shutterstock.com

PSI organized a workshop on debt sustainability in Castries, St Lucia, with the participation of Jubilee USA network and Jubilee Caribbean, during which case studies were examined and the impact of the recent hurricane season was discussed. PSI affiliates in the Caribbean sub-region adopted a joint declaration on Debt Sustainability and Financing for Development in Castries, St Lucia on 5 July.

__________

“The world is off-track in terms of achieving sustainable development and fundamental policy changes are necessary to unleash the transformative potential of the SDGs.” This is the main message of the Spotlight Report 2018, the most comprehensive independent assessment of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The report was launched on the opening day of the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) at the United Nations in New York by a global coalition of civil society organizations and trade unions.

PSI will produce a special edition of Privatization Watch on the HLPF outcomes including a summary of the work PSI and partners have done at the HLPF and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Includes 

Australia

New South Wales authorities are revaluating their policy toward ‘public private partnerships.’ “NSW is worried that it won't find enough contractors to build some $80 billion of infrastructure over the next four years if it does not better manage construction risk and break contracts into smaller sizes, giving smaller companies an opportunity to compete against bigger companies. The average size of new social infrastructure projects undertaken as public-private partnerships has more than doubled in the five years to 2015 to about $753 million compared with the five-year period to 2010, according to Allens. Some of the PPPs have also been controversial, such as Maitland Hospital, which will now be built by the government following opposition to the hospital's privatization. Mr. Donnelly said governments needed to better plan PPP as the size of projects increased, and be careful about rushing proposals into the market to meet political timetables.”

__________

India

Julie Snorek of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, a researcher for the Environmental Justice Atlas, has helped map out the world’s top ten environmental justice battles, including a conflict involving waste privatization in Delhi, where “middle class residents and informal recyclers joined together to oppose the privatization of waste management and the resulting introduction of incineration.” The Global Alliance of Waste Pickers defends the informal recycling sector in more than 28 countries.

__________

Indonesia

The Coalition of Jakarta Residents Opposed to Water Privatization (KMMSAJ) has submitted to the Central Jakarta District Court a counter memorandum to the judicial review on the water privatization case filed by the Finance Ministry. “‘The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of civil society. We're very disappointed that the Finance Ministry still cannot accept it,’ the plaintiffs' representative, Nurhidayah, said on Tuesday, as quoted by kompas.com. Through the judicial review, the Finance Ministry is attempting to challenge the Supreme Court's decision.”

__________

Vietnam

 The European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Area, which is expected to be signed this year, could bring a wave of privatizations. “Vietnamese companies should also be aware of the challenges brought about by free trade agreements, and especially the EVFTA. These are related to higher requirements from the EU market in terms of transparency and competition, both for private and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The FTA is not necessarily seeking complete privatization, but rather the opening up of those economic sectors where SOEs are present. Vietnamese enterprises may expect to see an impact from this process, provided that the FTA promotes reforms in public procurement.”

__________

Vietnam

The government has raised private capital requirements for ‘public-private partnerships’ from 15% to 20% of equity. “The Vietnamese government is encouraging PPP investments in areas such as transportation, power generation and transmission, public utilities, social infrastructure, commercial infrastructure and agricultural and rural development. Other sub-sectors can also be targeted under the prime minister’s discretion.”

Full Bulletin can be down loaded at http://campaigns.world-psi.org/t/ViewEmail/r/67F2B1FC9E77CD7D2540EF23F30FEDED/20BCEE507284978AFCACEB58A033025D 

In Honduras, mayor privatises waste sector and sacks 700 municipal workers

http://www.world-psi.org/en/honduras-mayor-privatises-waste-sector-and-sacks-700-municipal-workers

Multinational company demands exclusive rights over street cleaning, waste collection, transport and disposal at the landfill site in San Pedro Sula, the country’s second biggest city. Many trade union representatives among those dismissed.

On 30 April, in an unexpected and disrespectful move and without first informing SIDEYTMS, the trade union representing municipal workers, the mayor of San Pedro Sula, Armando Caledonio, announced the dismissal of more than 700 municipal waste collection and street cleaning workers, ensuring full control of these services by Holding Eléctrica, the Central American company better known as SULAMBIENTE.

Read the full story at 

http://www.world-psi.org/en/honduras-mayor-privatises-waste-sector-and-sacks-700-municipal-workers

Portugal - Union launches campaign for better working conditions - Advice from EPSU

https://www.epsu.org/epsucob/2018-june-epsucobnews-11/union-launches-campaign-better-working-conditions 

Union launches campaign for better working conditions

The STAL local government union is running a campaign for better working conditions and as part of the campaign has launched a petition for pay supplements for risky, unhealthy and arduous work. The union argues that legislation has long been in place that establishes the basis for such payments but the law has yet to be implemented for the local government sector. http://www.stal.pt/index.php/sectores/seguranca-e-saude-no-trabalho/913-stal-lança-petição-exigindo-aplicação-do-suplemento-de-insalubridade,-penosidade-e-risco-na-administração-local.html

Australia this weekend a significant change was made to a political party policy on privatisation of Public Services

For a number of years Local Government, State and National Public Services Unions have pushed strong and hard against privatisation of essential Public Services in the State of NSW * , including opposition by other Unions and their own Labor Political Party Colleagues .... 

Last year at this conference PSI affiliated State Unions in Electricity ,the ETU and USU (part of ASU National) changed the Labor Party policy https://gmpsiaprec.blogspot.com/2017/08/psi-australian-unions-call-for.html to pursue a similar push by UK Labour Party. In calling for re introduction of majority Government Ownership , through a small corporation buy back of shares to bring two large Electricity Distribution Network Businesses back into majority State Ownership and thus back to Public accountability, reporting to Parliament , reporting to the Government Minister & Public , plus  all the things that differ a State Owned Corporation to a privatisted privately owned and operated private business.

This weekend the Labor Leader and his party Members of Parliament committed to the Labor Party Conference his Government when elected would not support electricity privatisation,  along with Water, Public Transport , Ambulance, Education , Health system and Hospitals, plus more. 

This statement by the Labor Leadership is an important step and one all the Unions in Public Services areas have argued for and sought strong policy statements from their political party leadership and political party for some time, as conservatives, Liberals and National party political , along with some past politicans from all sides have pushed for or supported privatisation of essential services .

The outcome of the conference actions and policy statements also come at a time, when Electricity prices continue to rise across the country with higher increases in prices in the privatised states , see 

http://gmpsiaprec.blogspot.com/2017/07/electricity-prices-in-australia-has.html

 * Population 7.8  Million aprox. or one third of the Countries population , in the largest State and therefor the State with highest number of persons using Electricity , Water and Local Government Services and other Services Public Services.