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Public Funding/Tax Justice

The gap between the rich and the rest of us is growing rapidly. In many countries, the richest 1% pay less tax than everyone else. Profitable multinational corporations use loopholes and tax havens to avoid paying their share. Around the world, inequality is growing. A taxation system based on fairness and ability to pay is the first step in reversing this attack on the middle class.

Tax Justice for finance a public service that transforms gender relations

29 June 2018

Regional Meeting on Tax Justice and Gender gathered for two days in Buenos Aires almost 60 trade unionists to discuss how the trade union movement must address the inequalities produced by the tax policies in our continent.

End the patriarchy of the state in order to provide public services that change gender relations

28 June 2018

Verónica Montúfar, Gender Equality Officer for Public Services International (PSI), analyses a recent case study (Peru) on the impact of tax evasion and avoidance on public services provided to women and girls 2006-2016 and its contribution to the discussion on gender within this global union federation.

Tax evasion and avoidance hinders efforts to improve the lives of women and girls in Peru, says a PSI report

28 June 2018

A report launched on Public Service Day, 23 June, concludes it would have been possible to double the budget allocated to social services with the amount lost to tax evasion and avoidance in Peru between 2006 and 2016. This would have increased the chances of improving the quality of life and development options for women and girls.

“No Longer!” - Trade unions in Tanzania take a stand to end tax injustice

12 June 2018

At a two-day meeting in Dar es Salaam (June 7-8), participants agreed on a set of demands to the Tanzanian government, including reviewing all tax incentives and tax treaties, and ensuring better transparency of corporate affairs, including through public registers on beneficial ownership of companies and trusts. The meeting also called on the government to provide more resources to the Tanzanian Revenue Authority in order for them to collect more taxes to better fund public infrastructure and public services.

Revised Global Tax System could easily fund SDGs says UNCTAD Director

25 May 2018

Attending the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s Civil Society Hearing, Public Services International welcomed the institution's increased focus on addressing tax avoidance and discussion of a Global Tax Treaty.

FOCUS on tax justice - International union rights

17 May 2018

FOCUS on tax justice is Volume 25 Issue 1 2018 of the journal of International Union Rights. The journal is published four times a year in English and has earned a reputation as the leading independent forum for global trade union debate, winning a readership in more than 100 countries worldwide. The editorial "Corporate tax dodging is stealing from workers and must be stopped" in this issue was written by PSI.

Union report on Aged-Care Corporations spurs tax-inquiry by Australian Senate

14 May 2018

A damning report commissioned by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), which revealed how private aged care providers shift profits offshore, has led to an official Senate tax inquiry just a week after its release.

Nursing home giants shifting millions in profits offshore

02 May 2018

Australia’s largest aged care providers are paying minimal tax while receiving hundreds of millions in government subsidies. The companies are using the same «tricks and schemes» as tech giants to minimize the amount of tax they pay.

Political will is required to get rid of malaria

25 April 2018

On Wednesday 25 April, PSI affiliates join the World Health Organization (WHO), governments, and civil society organisations to observe the World Malaria Day 2018. The day serves to provide information on the year-long implementation of national malaria-control strategies, including community-based activities for malaria prevention and treatment in endemic areas.

Financing for Development (FfD) forum (New York)

24 April 2018

PSI is participating in the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development follow-up (FfD) at the United Nations in New York (23-26 April), represented by Helene Davis-Whyte (JALGO, Jamaica) and Richard Amparbeng (PSWU, Ghana) with the support of Sandra Vermuyten, PSI Head of Campaigns.

New EU digital tax rules: a good first step in right direction

23 March 2018

New EU digital tax rules are a good first step to address public outrage over the dodgy tax practices of some of the world’s biggest corporations says Public Services International, a Global Trade Union Federation at the centre of the campaign for corporate tax forum.

British Minister shames privatised water companies for tax avoidance

02 March 2018

Michael Gove, the Conservative Environment Secretary, launched a searing attack on water company bosses - accusing them of avoiding billions of pounds in tax, overpaying executives and failing to properly invest in infrastructure.

Global conference of the Platform for Collaboration on Tax: “Taxation and the Sustainable Development Goals”

15 February 2018
Photo: Chris Potter - Creative Commons

As part of its global campaign for tax justice, PSI is co-hosting a side-event on 16 February at the First Global Conference of the Platform for Collaboration on Tax. The side event will focus on The role of tax policy in reducing intersecting inequalities and achieving the SDGs.

Star economists suggest roadmap for fairer global taxation

07 February 2018

The Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation has launched a new publication presenting concrete solutions to reorient the existing system of international taxation away from serving the wealthy few and to focus it instead on addressing the needs of the vast majority of the population.

Advancing tax justice in 2018 - building on 2017's achievements

25 January 2018

2017 was a major year for the rapidly growing global tax justice movement. Together we stepped up for tax justice for women’s rights, for public services, and to end tax havens.

Briefing on BEPS implications for developing countries

10 September 2015

Many commentators have long recognized that the international tax system is broken, especially in relation to corporate taxation. A major effort has now begun to try to fix it. This is being led by developed countries, but it has major implications for developing countries,

Comments by TUAC on the OECD action plan on BEPS

09 September 2015

On 19 July 2013, the OECD published its Action Plan on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS). This paper presents the broad features of the Action Plan including examples of aggressive tax planning schemes.

Fair tax and quality public services delivery in Africa

09 September 2015

Resources that could be made available for the provision of public services have been drained out of the African continent but illicitly and “legally” through unfair taxation systems that multinational corporations exploit to the detriment and often with the support of African states.

McJobs - Low wages and low standards around the world

03 July 2015

This report details abusive employment practices in the McDonald’s system that make the iconic golden arches a global symbol of the low-road economy.

ICRICT declaration

11 June 2015

On 2 June 2015, the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT) launched a global declaration calling for an overhaul of the outdated international corporate tax system and demanding broad, sweeping changes in the current rules and governing institutions.

Golden Dodges: How McDonald’s Avoids Paying its Fair Share of Tax

13 May 2015

This new report, released on 19 May, reveals that McDonald’s is using aggressive strategies to avoid paying tax in some of its largest markets.

Working people pay taxes – corporations must pay their share!

14 April 2015
Photo: Creative Commons - 401kcalculator.org

Public service trade unions and the Global Alliance for Tax Justice invite members to join in marching this May Day under the banner “Working people pay taxes – corporations must pay their share!”

Speech by Rosa Pavanelli - ICRICT Meeting

13 April 2015
Rosa Pavanelli, ICRICT meeting. Photo: Joel Sheakoski

PSI welcomes the establishment in New York of a commission of international tax experts to examine reform to corporate taxation from the perspective of the public interest. Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary gives evidence to the commission

Middle East and North Africa Region Briefing on Tax Justice

01 March 2015

This briefing paper written by Jane Lethbridge, PSIRU, was commissioned by Public Services International (PSI)

Report: Unhappy Meal

27 February 2015

This report is the product of a coalition of European and American trade unions, representing more than 15 million workers in different sectors of the economy in 40 countries, and War on Want, the U.K.-based anti-poverty campaign group. The members of the coalition work towards an economy built on decent jobs and a fair, progressive tax system at the global, E.U., and national levels. It is the first time that we have joined forces to highlight an example of corporate tax avoidance, a critical issue a¬ecting the future of democracy and the welfare state.

Wealth: Having It All and Wanting More

25 February 2015

This research paper published by Oxfam International shows that the richest 1 percent have seen their share of global wealth increase from 44 percent in 2009 to 48 percent in 2014 and at this rate will be more than 50 percent in 2016.

Outcomes of PSI Steering Comittee SC-18

17 November 2014

PSI Steering Committee (SC-18) met in Geneva on 12-13 November 2014.

The agenda covered all items relating to the implementation of the Programme of Action with a special focus on the global campaigns PSI is leading on trade agreements and tax justice.

With tax justice, we can end poverty and inequality

19 June 2014
PSI Korean affiliates KGEU at a protest rally in 2013

World Public Services Day - 23 June 2014

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.

Briefing on tax justice issues - Africa

27 May 2014
Briefing

This briefing paper on tax justice issues in Africa was written in preparation for meetings of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council and the African Tax Administrators Forum (ATAF) that took place in November 2013.

ICRICT panel: Expanding the debate on taxing global corporate profits

22 May 2015

The Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT) is a group of public intellectuals from around the world who believe that, at this moment in history, there is both an urgent need and an unprecedented opportunity to bring about significant reform of the international corporate taxation system.

May Day 2015

14 April 2015

Public service trade unions and the Global Alliance for Tax Justice invite members to join in marching this May Day under the banner “Working people pay taxes – corporations must pay their share!”

Funding Democracy - Practical alternatives to global austerity

26 January 2015
Funding Democracy

PSI's Canadian affiliate, the Association of Canadian Financial Officers (ACFO) is organising an event on 16-17 June 2015 in Ottawa, Canada, to discuss issues of austerity, tax reform and funding public services.

PSI at the G20 and related events

09 October 2014

The G20 leaders meeting is taking place on 15-16 November 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. Public
Services International (PSI) has been following G20 progress this year, especially in relation to the
work the OECD is doing on behalf of the G20 to ensure that multinational corporations pay their
fair share of tax, called the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project.

Chile: Struggle for social justice

07 October 2014

A debate will be held on 7-8 October in Santiago de Chile about corruption and tax justice. Approximately 70 PSI representatives will be attending.

World Public Services Day 2014

22 June 2014

On the occasion of World Public Services Day, Public Services International and its affiliates 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 Asia Pacific Regional Forum on Quality Public Services

07 October 2013
QPS logo

PSI’s Asia Pacific Regional Office is hosting a forum on quality public services on 16-18 October 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. The forum will highlight discussion on the priority public services issues of the region, evaluating union strengths and strategies to take the issues to a further level.

World Day for Decent Work 2013

03 October 2013

On 7 October we celebrate the World Day for Decent Work. Public Services International (PSI) joins the international trade union movement in demanding decent work for all and an end to the continuous attacks on trade union rights around the world. We want jobs that provide decent salaries and social security with safe working conditions.

Video: Greek journalists occupy public broadcast stations

06 January 2014

Members of the PSI-EPSU Communicators' Action Network, an expert team of international labour journalists, recorded the last inside interviews with workers occupying Greek public broadcast stations, before the government violently raided and evicted the workers in early November 2013.

Video - Greece: Austerity cuts take ironic toll on tax collection

06 January 2014

There were 18,000 tax administration staff members in Greece before the economic crisis. Austerity measures have forced a 50% cut in staff – at the end of 2013 just 9,000 workers remained.

Workers must fight tax dodging in the financial sector

02 July 2013

PSI Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, Daniel Bertossa, spoke at a TUAC conference in June 2013, about tax dodging in the financial sector.

Audio: Money lost through corruption could fund decent public services.

26 June 2013

Every year about $2.6 trillion is stolen by corruption. This money could be used to fund decent public services and help developing countries.

Video: PSI Anti Corruption Forum ILC June 2013

17 June 2013

Public Services International hosted this forum as an official side event of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Participants discussed how corruption undermines public services and democracy. Corruption wastes public money by diverting it into the hands of corrupt politicians, businesses and their agents.

Photos: Public Finance Control and Anti-Corruption Strategies forum

14 June 2013

Ending corruption requires public and political organising to demand that political leaders represent public interests, not the interests of rich individuals and powerful companies, and to hold them accountable.

Photos: Global Trade Strategy Meeting (WSF - Tunis 2013)

16 April 2013

Public Services International had the strongest global union presence at the World Social Forum 26-30 March 2013 in Tunis, Tunisia. PSI hosted and co-sponsored numerous events on trade union rights, youth, water, women’s issues, tax justice, energy and climate change.

Photos: International FTT Strategy meeting - Tunis WSF 2013

15 April 2013

PSI affiliate members from Tunisia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and the United States participated in the global financial transactions tax campaign strategy meeting hosted by PSI in Tunis on 26 March

Photos: World Social Forum, Tunis 2013

15 April 2013

Public Services International had the strongest global union presence at the World Social Forum 26-30 March 2013 in Tunis, Tunisia. PSI hosted and co-sponsored numerous events on trade union rights, youth, water, women’s issues, tax justice, energy and climate change.

Bankable versus taxable

04 November 2011

Interview with David Boys (Public Services International and appointed to the UN Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation - UNSGAB) at the Water Operators' Partnerships conference in Amsterdam, 2 November 2011.