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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.

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).

Two days to stop global corporate power grab: Sign the petition

13 September 2012

Details are leaking of a top-secret, global corporate power grab of breathtaking scope - attacking everything from a free Internet to health and environmental regulations. Sign to stop it.

Youth unemployment getting worse

10 September 2012
Young persons

The spillover of the euro crisis spreads. Jobless rates among young people get worse globally, according to a report from ILO.

UK: Health money goes to tax havens

04 September 2012
hospital entrance

Several British hospitals have to lay off staff to help pay their private finance initiative fees – and the money goes straight to tax havens.

Sweden: Crisis package rescued 8,500 municipal jobs

03 September 2012
Road workers

When the financial crisis hit, the Swedish government provided temporary grants to the municipal sector. Calculations now show that the money saved 8,500 jobs.

Dutch unions ensure wages for Polish workers

28 August 2012

Several power companies are constructing new coal fired power stations in the Dutch port of Eemshaven. It is the biggest construction site in the Netherlands. One of the companies building is the German company RWE, that has contracted out some of the work to the Polish company Remak. Remak has sent over around 800 Polish workers, but they are not paid according to the collective agreement applicable for this work. They are receiving 9 euros an hour, instead of 11.50.

UK: Public sector pensioners to lose billions

15 August 2012
Workers on railway line

Public sector workers will lose more than £8.5 billion a year through cuts to their pensions. - A massive transfer of wealth away from public servants, says trade union leaders.

Delhi to privatise water supply, city to pay nine times more than Mumbai

09 July 2012
hands under a water tap against a blue sky

On 3 July Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit confirmed that the state government has decided to privatise water treatment plants in the national capital, following its earlier privatisation of power distribution. The Planning Commission has given its approval to the proposal.