"Strengthen the public services - strengthen the democracy"

“Eflum almannaþjónustuna - Eflum lýðræðið”

The 41st BSRB-congress points out that the simplistic ideology that the private sector must always be more economical and more efficient than public services is unfounded and more often than not wrong, as experience show. On the one hand it is based on the concept of a perfect competitve market which is at odds with reality. On the other hand it must always be kept in mind that private and public enterprizes have fundamentally different goals. On one end of the scale there is the demand for profit, on the other societal and public goals guided by public interests. Even though the demand for profit, based on simple operating figures, is not the guiding light for public services, they do however require efficiency, sound economics and the highest standard of quality, since allocation of public funds are involved. Public services require constant renewal, which again requires freedom for innovation and the necessary manouvering room to offer better services for the general public. Public services shall be efficient and aim for highest quality. Public services should also be able to serve as a positive model for the private sector in relation to operational methods, in relation to employees, environmental issues, gender equality and positive, constuctive attitude in general. Such public services can only be sustained with the support of interested and skilled employees who have the opportunity to handle their tasks with care and under positive circumstances.

The 41st Congress of BSRB emphasizes that innovation within public services is constantly required in order to:

• facilitate better services and increased quality,
• ensure efficient use of public funding,
• increase job-security and support better job-contracts, and
• strengthen the democratic and ethical structure of public administration

To be able to achieve these goals, employees and their organizations must participate fully in the process of innovation and the 41st Congress of BSRB declares its full committment to cooperate with public authorities in order to achieve the above-mentioned goals.

When evaluating a good and strong public service, three factors must be kept in mind:

• The interests of those recieving the service,
• the interests of those who supply the service, and
• the interests of the employees.

The 41st Congress of BSRB points out that privatization has to do with financial interests and power. With privatization, society disclaims property and influence over the premises on which the service is operated by and who are entitled to it. These public properties have been founded by public funds, but are then handed over to private operators. Concentration of power and capital, as a result of privatization, is an unwanted and dangerous development which undermines democracy.

The 41st Congress of BSRB is of the opinion that public authorities have a duty to care for and take responsibility for core-public services such as healthcare, education and security and protection and communications. Experience shows - and examples proof, that this is the most economical and efficient way to run these services, as well beeing the best way to ensure equal access.

The 41st Congress of BSRB emphasizes that all regulatory and supervisory bodies concerned with economic activities or health and safety issues, should be in the hands of public entities. Where such activities have been placed in the hands of private actors they have become more expensive for the user and displayed several other drawbacks. It is absolutely necessary that such activities remain above business interests.

The 41st Congress of BSRB places emphazis on, that when privatization is under consideraton, public issues, such as public health protection and policy on alcoholic substances, have to be taken into consideration.

The 41st Congress of BSRB points out that the inroads the private sector has made into public services and attempts to change public services into “a service market” where the law and rules of business apply, are not limited to Iceland. In Europe, the fight is now on, as to where the demarcation line should be drawn. The Service Directive, which was introduced in 2004, was not in the least an attempt by private firms to enter the secure and lucrative market of public services. The European trade union movement reacted forcefully and managed, at least temporarily, to hinder its worst affects. Now, EPSU, the European Public Services Union, is leading a campaign within the EU, under the slogan “Quality Public Services - Quality of life”, and enjoys the support of, amongst others, ETUC, the European Trade Union Confederation.

The purpose of the campaign is, on the one hand to draw attention to the value of public services for society and, on the other hand, to push for a positive legislation on public services. Such legislation is intended to defend public services from the attacks of market forces and to create for public services the natural scope it needs to grow and develop. The 41st Congress of BSRB declares its support for the aims of this campaign and considers it necessary to take up such a campaign in Iceland. BSRB will seek the support and cooperation of other trade unions and those NGO’s that aim to strengthen public services and increase their quality.