(18 May 2009) EPSU was active in the water activities during the European Social Forum in Malmo, September 2008. Several groups came together to found the European Network for Public Water. A Manifesto was published. EPSU discussed if it should support the Manifesto. The Standing Committee on Public Utilities decided to do so at its meeting 14 May 2009.
The Manifesto sets put a number of general principles that are considered important for Europe’s water policy and water sector. It includes (...)
(24 March 2009) The final declaration of the Ministerial meeting of the World Water Forum saw a major break away group of countries which signed an alternative declaration. This group of countries not content by slavishly following the private sector’s led World Water Council, wants the Forum to be run by the United Nations and not by the private sector.
The group also wants water to be recognised as a human right. The countries include Switzerland and Spain in Europe. Important countries (...)
(23 March 2009) The Belgian trade union CGSP and its confederation organised a number of actions coinciding with World Water Day.
The unions organised several manifestations in Liège and organised a march to call attention to the plight of the hundreds of millions of men, women and children that do not have access to clean drinking water and to safe sanitation services. The unions also support the right to water and that water services should be public. Governments are to promote public (...)
The UN has published its 3rd report on Water Development. It is called Water in a Changing World. It draws attention to rising demands for water, shrinking resources, more competition and more conflict. 5 billion people or close to 70% of the world population will not have adequate services in 2030. And despite the fact that investment in water infrastructure has high returns. For each dollar invested the return is 3-34 dollars. Not investing in water services hinders growth and harms the (...)
Breaking story on Water Forum outcomes
(17 March 2009) At the opening of the World Water Forum this week, European trade unions will present damning evidence of the EU’s water policies. They will demonstrate that the EU drive to commercialise water services is based on a flawed model; "The Commission’s support for private sector involvement in water services is counterproductive and based more on market ideology than fact", said Jan Willem Goudriaan, EPSU General Secretary. He continued; (...)
(Brussels, 4 March 2009) EPSU affiliate STAL has announced the results of an opinion poll to access the views of citizens with regard to the privatisation of water services.
The study was conducted by Marktest a specialized company . During a week in January they polled citizens and the results were presented in a press conference 25th February.
Highlights of the study: A massive 69% of the respondents are against water and sewage privatization. 99% of respondents agree that water is a (...)
The European Commission is one of the world’s largest providers of development aid.
EPSU has requested that the European Commission uses its money and influence to support public-public partnerships as the most promising way to achieve the Millenium Development Goals. EPSU wants the Commission to support a more transparent and democratic set up of the World Water Forum within the United Nations rather then the World Water Forum organised by the private sector body of the World Water (...)
(3 December 2008) The Italian water movements organised a meeting for the European Water Network of trade unions, NGOs and other water activists to prepare for the World Water Forum next year (18-22 March 2009, Istanbul) and to consider follow up to the Malmo water meetings.
Steve Bloomfield of Unison attended for EPSU and gave the attached speech, stressing the importance of water as a human right and water as a public service.
To read the speech (...)
(17 November 2008) Over 2000 people participated in a demonstration against the privatisation of Spanish water company Canal Isabel II, 13 November 2008, Madrid.
The manifestation was organised by the Platform against the privatisation of Canal Isabel II, and which argues for a high quality public water services.
EPSU affiliated unions from CCOO and UGT participated in the actions. EPSU has also sent a letter to the Spanish authorities and Spanish politicians indicating that we do not (...)
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