Staffing levels, Tax justice
Fighting for tax justice
A fair, progressive, transparent and effective tax system is crucial for sound public finances, quality public services and redistribution of wealth and income. This is why EPSU has been campaigning hard to tackle tax evasion and avoidance by large companies and wealthy individuals and in support of measures to create fairer tax systems. This briefing for EPSU's last Congress sets out the work done over the previous Congress period and highlights current priorities. The impact of austerity on tax collection is the latest update on the state of tax administrations across Europe, underlining the need to invest in staff and resources to improve tax collection and fight tax fraud.
The work to crack down on tax dodging must continue: EPSU welcomes decision from the European parliament for a new special committee to investigate tax crimes
Today the European Parliament approved a resolution to set up a special committee on financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance.
EPSU reacts with disbelief to EU Council of Ministers’ discussion to remove countries from the tax haven blacklist
Just one month after the Council adopted a black list of countries that qualify as tax havens, the European Parliament revealed that Council discusses the removal of 7 countries from this list.
EPSU calls for an enquiry committee in the European Parliament on Paradise Papers
On Friday 1st December the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) sent a letter to Members of the European Parliament demanding a new enquiry committee to investigate tax fraud, tax evasion, tax avoidance and all procedures that big multinationals use in order not to pay their fair share of tax.
Union calls for action on eldercare staffing
The FOA public services union is calling on the government and municipalities to take urgent action to tackle staffing shortages in eldercare. A recent survey found that three out of four local authorities didn't have enough eldercare staff and the situation is set to deteriorate as many workers retire. The sector needs around 13000 new recruits every year but the level is currently half that. The union says that employers use a lot of part-time work to save money and while many employees in the sector actually want to work full time. There is also a question of higher pay for young workers.
Unions demand investment, pay convergence, progressive economic policy at EU macro-economic dialogue
The speakers for the European institutions like Council, Commission and ECB noted the improvements in employment rates recognizing many workers still remain without a job or in precarious employment.