Tax justice

This sixth Congress briefing explains how a fair, progressive, transparent and effective tax system is crucial for sound public finances, quality public services and redistribu­tion of wealth and income.

With Congress around the corner, it was the main item on the agenda. Members discussed the draft Programme of Action and the amendments proposed by affiliates.

In its resolution on the Cum-Ex Files the European Parliament calls for four key measures including the need to invest in tax authorities, instead of axing jobs, and structured cross-border cooperation, as called for by EPSU.

In a joint letter, 3500 organisations, representing 125 million citizens in Europe urge the EU governments that have been negotiating an EU Tax on Financial Transactions for 5 years to not give up or reduce the scope of the tax

The McDonald’s international trade union coalition met with Competition Commissioner Vestager on 17 December, which coincided with the publication of the non-confidential text of the Commission’s decision on the state aid investigation of the global fast-food leader.

Today the European Commission (EC) has announced its decision on the McDonalds state aid investigation that was launched in December 2015.

Press Release - Coalition of trade unions and anti-poverty group calls on the European Union and its Member States to strengthen legal tools against corporate tax avoidance.

The UK government announced it will slash 2000 jobs in its tax administration (HMRC). PCS, the trade union representing the workers has rejected the plans. EPSU support this.

On 15 July, the General Court annulled the European Commission’s biggest ever fine in a state aid case. In 2016, the Commission considered that a tax rebate (via tax rulings) granted by the Irish government to Apple was state aid, and therefore illegal.

The last Executive Committee of the ETUC this year debated promoting collective bargaining and improving wages.

(Press Release) The Fresenius case: Health company avoids taxes just like Amazon and Google.

Campaigning for the right to water, negotiating on information and consultation rights for central government workers, lobbying for tougher action on tax avoidance and fraud, standing up to multinationals and defending dismissed or imprisoned trade unionists … these are just some of the many

Workers at McDonalds in the UK, US and many other places are out on strike today 4 September, US Labor Day Holiday. They protest against zero-hour contracts and low pay in McDonalds.

Profit shifting is the process whereby companies move profits from their subsidiaries in higher tax countries, where the real economic activity takes place, to other subsidiaries in ‘tax havens’.

Following a campaign of unions such as EPSU and Eurocadres, many social action groups and MEPs of several parties, the European Parliament adopted a report on the need for an EU initiative on whistleblower protection, 24 October.