EPSU Italian Affiliates hold National Rally against Services directive (15 October)

Italian Affiliate of EPSU, CGIL, is at the forefront of a National Rally (CGIL) to highlight the necessity of fundamental rights being enshrined in public policy. The rally, on 15 October has as its key message; 'time to change'. It's time to say it's enough with this continuous subtraction of social and citizens' rights. It's time to say enough to labour and life insecurity. The rally will illustrate the constant attack on fundamental values at EU National and local level. The organising committee stated that; "Water, air, energy, territory, environment are all natural common goods necessary for the survival of human beings and for life itself upon the Earth. They cannot become goods for profit at the service of the multinational corporations. Housing, education, health, social security, transportation, training, knowledge and culture are social common goods, of which public services represent a guarantee of universality. They cannot be privatized and managed in the logic of profit".

In the morning on the 15th (h. 9:00 - 13:00), in the Julius Caesar room in the Town hall of Rome, a national reunion of Local Governments who are against the Bolkestein and Gats will take place, promoted by the Finance and Cultural Councillors of the Roman Region, by the Presidency of the Council of the Roman Providence and by the Suburban Policy Councillor for local development and employment of the Roman Municipality. Upon the closing of the meeting the representatives of Local Governments will join the demonstration.
The demonstrators will carry the message that today more than ever, labour rights, common goods and public services are under attack:

a) at a global level, across World Trade Organization negotiations, that are pushing towards the complete liberalization of services (Gats) and toward total deregulation of labour (Nama), consolidating the dominance of rich countries over the South of the world. Under these aspects the next appointments around the middle of October in Geneva and the middle of December in Honk Kong will be decisive;

b) At the European level, across the draft Bolkestein directive aiming at the privatization of all service activities, deregulation and total labour insecurity through the Country of Origin Principle, bringing to zero the decision making powers of local governments. The European Parliament vote is foreseen at the end of October;

c) At a national and local level, through the advancement of the privatization process and the deterioration of public services, deprived of financial resources and personnel, while military and war expenditures constantly increase.

Photos of rally against Bolkestein 15/10/205 - Foto della manifestazione contro la Bolkestein 15/10/2005