No liberalisation of water services
EPSU Deputy General Secretary gave a key note speech to a Verdi water conference to underline that the European Commission has not stopped working on promoting more competition in the water sector. A Working Paper is expected that will argue to reduce exclusive rights to the bare minimum (the water sector version of unbundling - meter-reading and other services will have to be put on the market) and to improve the functioning of the outsourcing market (with other words promote “competition for the market” through concessions). All this to the advantage of large industrial users and the private water companies: citizens have not asked for it and the economic benefits are not provenVerdi is organising a series of regional conferences to discuss with its members, workers in the water sector and other actors, on recent national and regional developments in the water sector. Trade union representatives from other countries have been invited and involved. Verdi further participates in a national coalition with environmental and other organisations to oppose water liberalisation. The latest conference took place 19 November in Cologne, Germany.
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