Water

Italian unions including CGIL-FP and water activists are organising a public demonstration in Rome, 1 December 2007. They demand that results of the referendum are respected and Italy moves towards public ownership of its water companies. For the pamphlet (in Italian) open document below.

(28 November 2007) For the second consecutive year, the French consumer’s organisation UFC-Que choisir has published its research on the cost of water in French municipalities. In the department of Ile-de-France, and the towns of Gennevilliers and Marseille, the private operators that distribute the water are making a healthy profit of nearly 60%. In other towns (Annecy, Chambery, Clermont-Ferrand and Grenoble), where the water industry is run by the municipalities, the water is billed at (...)

The mayor of Paris will defend the return of the concessions to a public company. The concessions are run by Veolia and Suez. Not only abroad but also in France the private sector water companies meet with resistance as their capacity to offer affordable, low prices and good quality service is increasinly questioned.
For more on the story:
(Le Monde , 7 november) "The mayor wants to take this historical opportunity to take the entire control of the water management, that was partially (...)

The Prince spoke during the PSI utilities workshop at the PSI World Congress. He was invited in his role as the chair of the United Nations Water and Sanitation Advosiry Group. This group was established by UN general Secretary Kofi Annan to advise him on how the millenium goals in water can be achieved. In his speech the Prince recognised the unique role of workers, their unions and the PSI in water reform policies. He underlines that the action plans (named after former Japanese prime (...)

Not-for-profit and focus on public utilities That is the basis of the Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance. It is an initiative established by the UN Water Advisory Board which makes recommendations to the UN General Secretary to achieve the Millenium Goals. PSI is a member of the Water Advisory Board and together with manyy allies has been able to ensure that the Board focuses on where it counts: improving the performance of the world’s public utilities through a process of trust (...)

Trade unions and water activists gathered in Stockholm during the World Water Week. This yearly event has developed from a serious scientific gathering into a place for corporations to promote water for profit. Several actions took place during the week. PSI and affiliated unions were part of the activities.
For more information please read:
http://worldwaterweek.blogspot.com/2007/08/protest-action-during-nestl-seminar.html
Pictures of actions are available on: (...)

The German union Verdi is opposing changes to the water law in North-Rhine Westphalia. The changes would introduce competition and lead to privatisation of the municipal water companies. The campaign of Verdi (Wasser ist doch keine Ware- Water is not a good) underlines the impact on price (increases expected), quality (very high) and Security threat to investment and maintenance of (...)

The italian water campaigners and which include EPSU affiliate CGIL-FP have achieved a major success in submitting 400.000 signatures for the government to elaborate a law that sees to return the water services to public control. The 5 key principles are:
1. Water as human right; 2. 50 free litres per person guaranteed; 3. Property of the water systems shall be entirely public with management through agencies disciplined by public law; 4. Participation of the local communities and the (...)

(7 May 2007) A new report is available on the water companies in Europe 2007. It demonstrates the continued withdrawal of the water multinationals from developing countries but also in Europe. The market for private operations is even more concentrated then some years ago with Veolia and Suez dominating the market. Other companies have concentrated on national markets and reduced their presence. Some Spanish companies are more active like FCC while SAUR has been bought by the French state (...)

The continued attention of the EU for improving water quality was welcomed by the trade unions. It was noted with concern that some water resources experience a decline in quality. The trade unions should be more involved in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and especially when the Commission is stressing the use of economic instruments and wants to develop benchmarks for water operators. Commercialisation of water services is opposed by EPSU.
To read (...)

(26 March 2007) The European Environment Agency has developed a new interactive Internet tool that informs Europe’s citizens about water quality and EU water policy. On that website you will also find information on EU policies such as the Water framework directive. The recent report on the performance of EU Member States in implementing the Water Framework Directive and several more detailed papers are available on that website. Please recall that the target of the Directive is to achieve (...)

(26 March 2006) The Scottish parts of Unison, Amicus, GMB and TGWU have joined hands to stop the privatisation of Scottish Water. They have proposed plans on how to develop public water and waste services for the future. The unions also oppose the option of so-called mutualisation which is a way to hand over the water system to international financial equity groups. The unions argue for a democratisation of the company and compare with international models.
To read more see Unison press (...)

EPSU Portuguese affiliate STAL will celebrate World Water Day (22 MArch 2007) by distributing a document to the population of the main cities, as well as by an exhibition dedicated to this theme. The recent Portuguese governments, including the present government, have taken steps towards total liberalization of water services. The government wants to concentrate the local systems of water management (reservoir and distribution) in the hands of the state holding Águas de Portugal (...)

(19 March) The broad based coalition to keep water in public hands and to oppose privatisation of water services organised a demonstration in front of the Commission’s Trade Department, 19 March 2007. DG trade was the target of the action as it negotiates on behalf of European governments on GATS. There is a risk that the Commission seeks to liberalise environmental, water and sanitation services through trade negotiations.
The group also argues that the European Commission should stop (...)

EPSU, several other unions and many NGOs have signed a statement on the ocassion of World Water Day, 22 March. We demand the Commission
Stops using aid money to facilitate private sector involvement.
Drops requests for market access within trade talks.
Greatly increases aid and public investment in the sector.
Supports the development of strong public utilities in the Global South through ‘public-public partnerships’ that enable the exchange of expertise between public providers, (...)

Water, Women and Workers : Sources of Life
PSI’s World Women’s Committee will celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th 2007 with the theme Water, Women and Workers : Sources of life. This theme will also link to the ITUC and global unions campaign on the right to safe maternity.
To strengthen our campaign, we propose two weeks of action - between 8 March, International Women’s Day and 22 March, World Water Day. The interdependence of women and water runs deep, and PSI women can (...)

For a recent (March 2007) report on Public private infrastructure advisory facility please check out http://www.corporateeurope.org/murkywater.html
(18 December 2006) EPSU has co-signed a letter to the European Commission asking it to with draw support for instruments to support water privatisation. The letter has been signed by a large number of other organisations including PSI, World Development Movement and several unions. The European Comission is supporting the Public-Private (...)

After many years of resistance the UK government will be supporting the right to water. The UK is also proposing a global action plan on water. The UK trade unions, PSIRU and many organisations such as World Development Movement have been responsible in convincing the UK government to make this chance. For more information:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/human-dev-report06.asp
9 November 2006
UK recognises the right to water as Hilary Benn launches call for Global Action (...)

The Italian union CGIL is backing a legal initiative which will outlaw competition in water services. Based on the principle that water is a human right the initiative argues how a law can be established that will ensure water is a public service. The union is supported by many water activist groups and social movements. These groups are aiming to get sufficient signatures to ensure the initiative is discussed in (...)

Press communication: 22 March, 2006 Action: WORLD WATER DAY

EPSU today held an action to mark World Water Day in the heart of Europe. A human chain of 1000 people was formed between the offices of AQUAFED (the International Private Water Company Federation) and the European Commission headquarters.

Private Water Company lobby group AQUAFED puts backroom pressure on European Commission to privatise the sector. World Water Day sees launch of study that exposes AQUAFED attempts to liberalise water services.

EPSU press communication, 22 March 2006 Action: World Water Day 22 March

Subject: World Water Day

Venue: Rond point Schuman, Brussels

Date and Time: 11.00am 22 March

Action: Human chain between the offices of AQUAFED (Federation of private water companies) and the Berlaymont (European Commission headquarters) and Justus Lipsius (Council of Ministers building)

The Standing Committee on Public Utilities considered a number of developments in the European Water sector at its meetings on 7 April 2005 and 7 October 2005 in Luxembourg.
It decided it would be worthwhile for EPSU to actively participate in the activities organized around World Water Day, 22 March 2006. This participation can take the form of public action to raise the awareness of citizens and politicians about threats to water services from the growing commercialisation of an (...)

David Hall (PSIRU) and Olivier Hoedmann (Corporate Europe Observatory/TransNational Institute), 21 March 2006
A report commissioned by the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)
1. Aquafed: a new lobby group for private water
"AquaFed® will be the voice of the private water industry vis-à-vis international organisations."
With an office at the Rond Point Schuman, in the heart of the EU quarter in Brussels, the International Federation of Private Water Operators (AquaFed) has (...)

FSESP - 22 marzo 2006 - Una catena umana per difendere l’acqua. Forte sostegno europeo alla lotta dei lavoratori Abbanoa in Sardegna
Oltre mille persone - della Federazione sindacale europea dei servizi pubblici (FSESP), dei sindacati belgi e dei movimenti - hanno formato, alle 11 del 22 marzo (Giornata mondiale dell’acqua), una catena umana che ha simbolicamente collegato la sede delle aziende e delle multinazionali private del settore idrico (Aquafed) con quella della Commissione (...)

(21 March 2006) The three Italian unions FP CGIL, CISL FPS, UIL FPL and their regional branches have organised a strike on 21 and 22 March. The strike is directed at management of Abbanoa, the drink water operator on the island of Sardegna. The unions have organised the strike to protest against the increase in the rates for water for citizens, to protest against bad management and inefficiency, the policies on dismissals and precarious employment. A delegation of the Italian union CGIL FP (...)

Now the successful battle of trade unions, community groups, environmental organisations and many others to fight privatisation is bearing fruit, the attention is turning to improving public sector operations. During the World Water Forum cases from France and Brazil, Japan and other countries were presented to demonstrate that Public Works !
For more information http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=32594
Services in Public Hands Gaining Popularity Diego Cevallos*
MEXICO CITY, Mar 22 (...)

PSI and many other water activists were disappointed with the position of governments not to adopt a position in favour of water as a human right. To read more:
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=32603
Final Declaration Holds Diluted View of Water as a "Right"
Diego Cevallos
MEXICO CITY, Mar 22 (IPS) - The assertion that access to water is a human right
was not included in the ministerial declaration adopted at the Fourth World
Water Forum, which ended in Mexico on Wednesday, (...)

(22 March 2006) Portuguese EPSU affiliate STAL is distributing leaflefts to bring its arguments for public water to a wider public in many different locations. It does so with the Association for the Defense of Public Water.
For more information (In Portuguese):
Nota para EPSU
Assunto: Dia Internacional da Água
O Dia Internacional da Água vai ser assinalado pelo STAL em conjunto com uma associação que desenvolve em Portugal diversas iniciativas em defesa da Água e da sua gestão pública, denominada (...)

On the occasion of World Water Day PSI has published, in collaboration with the World Development Movement and PSIRU, Pipe dreams: the failure of the private sector to invest in water services in developing countries. The report reviews actual investment in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and East Asia and includes case studies and pertinent financial information.
http://www.world-psi.org/TemplateEn.cfm?Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11481

The UN water Board in which PSI participates has committed to promote local public utilities as the solution to get people connected. A World Bank representative admits that the focus on privatisation has been wrong.
Read the PSI press release from the World Water Forum:
World Water Day - Public Utilities must improve
PSI media release
On 22 March approximately 10.000 people, mostly children, will die from a lack of clean drinking water. The same is happening every day of the year, (...)

Privatisation will cost the user dearly says GdG leader Rudolf Hundstorfer. First examples have demonstrated this. Water must be taken out of the Services Directive to prevent liberalisation through the back door.
Tag des Wassers: Bei Privatisierung zahlt der Kunde drauf!
GdG-Hundstorfer: Wasser muss aus Dienstleistungsrichtlinie herausgenommen werden
"Schon die ersten Beispiele haben gezeigt, dass eine Privatisierung von Wasser den Kunden massive Nachteile bringt", erklärte der (...)

(16 March 2006) The Italian coalition, called Unione (with Rifondazione comunista, radicals, DS, Margherita and catholics inside) round former European Commission President Prodi has come out fully in favour of public ownership of water companies. It says in its programme for the forthcoming Italian parliamentary elections (p.130):
“Nel settore cruciale dell’acqua dovranno essere assunti criteri di massima sensibilità, di precauzione, di forte investimento programmatico. In questo caso (...)

Press release of PSI and Unison from the World Water Forum, Mexico
World Water day of Shame
On 22nd March thousands of people throughout the developing world will die from a lack of clean drinking water. In 2002 the world’s leaders agreed in Johannesburg, as part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to halve the numbers of people without access to drinking water and sanitation by 2015.
Latest estimates show that there is no chance of meeting these targets. To do so would mean (...)

The Compromise of the European parliament on the Services Directive is not enough for water services, argued Ver.di executive member Erhard Ott on the ocassion of World Water Day. The danger exists that municipal public services will be emptied of meaning. This has implications for more then 70% of 100.000 workers active in these services in Germany.
To read more (in German):
Kompromiss zur Dienstleistungsrichtlinie bringt noch keine Entwarnung für die Wasserwirtschaft
21. März 2006
"Wir (...)

One of the flagships of French water multinational Suez - Aguas Argentinas - has returned in public hands. This news was announced for World Water Day and is proof of the strength of the campaign to keep water services in public hands.
Press statement of the PSI Argentinean affiliates (Spanish):
EL ESTADO ARGENTINO RETOMA EL CONTROL Y OPERACION DE AGUAS Y SANEAMIENTO
El titular de AySA sostiene que Aguas Argentinas “hizo cosas bien y cosas mal” Carlos Ben reivindicó la (...)

The Australian union and PSI affiliate ASU is organising many actions today. It has also launched a Water Charter to promote the right to water and to defend the workers in the industry.
For more news on the ASU campaign:
www.asu.asn.au

A coalition of Dutch NGOs, EPSU affiliate AbvaKabo and water experts sent an open letter to Minister Van Ardenne (development co-operation) and Minister Schultz-Haegen (Transport and Waterworks) on March 3rd. The signatories express their concern about "the lack of coherence in the government’s policies with regards to the expansion of access to drinking water in developing countries", in particular "the strong emphasis on increasing the role of the private sector through public-private (...)

The 4th World Water Forum will take place in Mexico in March. The EU as the world’s largest donor plays an important role.
EPSu is concerned that the preparations are hijacked by private sector interests and that the European Commission and Member States will use the occasion to promote the private provision of drinking water and waste water treatment, despite the fact that worldwide 95% of water companies is publicly owned. The emphasis should be on improving public provision.
To read (...)

 New Briefing paper on Water and GATS
 the fight is not over - Fact Sheet of IATP

Stefania Bianchi
BRUSSELS, Jan 19 (IPS) - An alliance of development groups is challenging the European Union and developed countries over their plans to promote water privatisation in developing countries at a key international meeting later this year.
Some ten development non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have agreed on a plan of action to put "optimal pressure" on European Union (EU) negotiators as they make preparations for the World Water Forum (WWF) to be held in Mexico City (...)

(Press article) http://www.epsnews.net

Lors de ses réunions des 7 avril et 7 octobre 2005 à Luxembourg, le Comité permanent sur les entreprises de service public s’est penché sur une série d’événements survenus dans le secteur de l’eau en Europe.
Il a conclu qu’il serait intéressant que la FSESP participe de manière active aux activités organisées à l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de l’eau, le 22 mars 2006. Cette participation peut prendre la forme d’une action publique visant à sensibiliser les citoyens et les hommes politiques aux menaces que (...)

Постоянный комитет коммунальных предприятий рассмотрел множество проектов в (...)

Participation of workers and more broadly citizens is important in decisions affecting the future of (municipal) water operations. This was the general conclusion shared by participants in the final meeting of the Water Time project, University of Greenwich. EPSU was represented in the Steering Committee of this project. EPSU deputy general secretary participated drawing attention to the different European pressures on the water sector. The conservative majority of a European parliament (...)

European Commissioner Louis Michel responded in a letter addressed to the different signatories of the open letter. He argues that the Commission does not promote privatisation and the private sector. All options must be explored. It is for local and regional governments to make their choices. And the Commission continues to push for the distribution of drinking water to be included in its requests to open markets during the GATS negotiations. You can read the response of the Commissioner (...)

In September, the young members of Fagforbundet, The Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees (NUMGE) started their own No privatization of Water campaign. The theme is Water is a Human Right - don’t sell our water ! The main goal of the campaign is to make clear for the public, and especially the young people of Norway, the consequences of privatization of the water resources in their communities and the world. If you wish to read a little about the campaign, they have an English (...)

Open letter to Commissioner Michel: Stop export of liberalisation and privatisation
EPSU, PSI and a large number of European organisations such as Friends of the Earth, 11.11.11 (Be), Brot fur die Welt (De), World Development Movement (UK) and Corporate Observatory Europe (Ne) have signed a letter to the Commissioner to argue that the European Union should stop exporting the privatisation of water services in developing countries. The EU should concentrate on strengthening public services. (...)

PSI media release
22 March 2005
On World Water Day PSI Calls for an End to Water Privatisation
Water privatisation has caused deterioration in services, higher prices for the poor, more corruption, environmental problems and more. The list of problems is long and the consequences of privatisation can be disastrous for communities and governments. Just ask citizens of Manila, Buenos Aires or Cochabamba.
Water privatisation has failed to deliver its promises. It does not give the poor (...)

The European Commission opened a debate to liberalise Europe’s water services in 2002. A speech of Commissioner Bolkestein and a study for the Commission on competition in water where the first indications, followed by a survey of Member States practices, a leaked internal document, debates in the European Parliament and a section on water in the priorities for the internal market strategy paper of the Commission. An article in the Competition news letter of the Commission in summer 2004 (...)

WDM’s new report, ‘Dirty Aid, Dirty Water’, exposes the continuing push by donor governments and institutions to privatise water and sanitation in poor countries and calls for a different approach by donors to the global water crisis. In particular, the report demonstrates how, despite the many water privatisation failures around the developing world the UK Government is using its aid budget to pursue privatisation through funding ‘water privatisation consultants’. The report explains how (...)

EPSU, PSI as well as PSIRU (www.psiru.org) provide much information that can assist your union and its local branches as well as community and other social action groups to fight the privatisation of water and waste water treatment facilities. Many other organisations do assist as well. A lot of information is available on the website of Public Citizen, a US NGO. It has also published a guide to oppose privatisation and provides detailed guidelines to activists and organisers who have to (...)

A series of rallies have taken place in Northern Ireland in protest at plans to introduce water charges, 12 February. The demonstrations against the government plans took place in Belfast, Enniskillen and Londonderry.
Campaigners in Belfast were joined by trade union members, politicians and members of the public. Organisers said the marches were being held to send a message to the government that people were united in their opposition to charges.
Reforms announced last August would see (...)

A new publication gives evidence of the struggle across the world to keep water in public control. EPSU and PSI work closely with many of the groups involved in the publication and it is recommended to you for inspiration and enjoyment.
Written by public water utility managers, trade unionists and civil society activists from more than twenty countries, ’Reclaiming Public Water’ Challenges the neoliberal prejudices of governments and international financial institutions.
The book (286 (...)

The European Commission has the clear intention to open the European Water Sector to competition. There are Commission speeches, leaked documents, Green and White Paper on Services of General Interest. The Commission has a Working Document ready to promote more competition. It is waiting for the New Commission to be installed to approve and publish it.
To a large extend the contents of what will be in that document are revealed in an article by a Commission civil servant (p.38, article of (...)

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 (...)

At a hearing of Commissioner designate Louis Michel (Development) at the European Parliament (6 October), MEP Gabi Zimmer, a German deputy from the United Left group, asked the new Commissioner what he thought of the pressure of EU on developing countries to liberalize their public services and services of general interest (such as water, education, healthcare) in the framework of the GATS negotiations. He responsed that he shares the concerns on this issue and stated: "I am with those (...)

The Portuguese government, then still under the direction of now Commission President Baroso, took a decision to privatise water services. The Portuguese union STAL is organising a campaign to cancel this decision. Coming Saturday 4 September thousands of pamphlets will be distributed in cities in the North of Portugal to inform citizens of the plans of the government and municipalities. EPSU has sent a letter to support the action.
See also: Jornada no Norte contra privatização da água, (...)

Verdi is part of a coalition ZukunftsBundnis Wasser which also includes ATTAC, DGB, environmental and consumer organisations and Euro-MEP Jo Leinen. The coalition fights the proposals to privatise waste water of the CDU government in Saarland. On their website you will find materials and a petition. Verdi is part of the national coalition Unseres Wasser.

The University of Greenwich (PSIRU) has established a broad based research project on water developments in Europe. EPSU is a member of the Steering Committee. Other participants in the project are CEMR (European organisation for municipalities, CEEP (Public companies and sector employers organisation at European level), European Environmental Bureau, Consumers International. The project has a website which contains many interesting papers. The project is currently exploring a number of (...)

A large number of organisations, including EPSU/PSI met to consider European and international developments specifically in the water sector on 29 and 30 June in Brussels. A range of issues was considered: EU internal market, competition and water, EU water facility and EU water initiative, the Services Directive, water and GATS, Commission on Sustainable Development (UN) and water amongst others. Most important were the discussions to learn from anti-privatisation campaigns in Uruguay, (...)

These "PURE PUBLIC WATER from a tap near you" bottles were distributed during the 7th EPSU Congress by our Swedish affiliate ’Kommunal’ and ’Stockholm Vatten’.
On the other side of the label, you can read: "KEEP WATER PUBLIC ! Vatten är en mänsklig rättighet -inte en handelsvara !"

EPSU detailed response: ’EC internal market strategy - implications for water and other public services’, report by PSIRU, May 2003

Critical analysis of the report by PSIRU

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