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ASU Water Industry Charter
Water is the essence of life
The United Nations has declared the water industry to be of international significance. The UN says that water supplies which meet the needs of all citizens of all countries in the world must be readily available. Water is an issue of great significance in Australia - the driest continent on Earth.
Those employees who work to support the availability of water provide a critical service to our society. Everybody in our society: politicians, governments, water industry workers and those that use the precious resource all have responsibilities in the provision and wise use of water. All should work cooperatively to provide this service to our society.
The ASU Charter
The purpose of this Charter is to show Water Industry workers, Government and the community that those that sign it are committed to ensuring a quality water supply that is available to all citizens. It also demonstrates respect for water industry workers who deliver this service to others. Water services should not be provided at the expense of, or exploitation of, particular sectors of the community or the workers in the industry.
Water must be a 'not for profit' service - to domestic users
It is recognised that water for human consumption is a right, and should not be provided for profit but as a birthright of all citizens. Water must be available to all at a fair cost to society. No section of society should be exploited in the provision of water services.
The availability of water is a fundamental human right and its availability to citizens is critical to their survival. The provision of water for farming and businesses should also be a service provided by Government, not for profit by traders in water markets.
The provision of water services should be free from the exploitation of labour, including slavery and child labour. At all times declarations of the United Nations and subsidiary agencies, including the International Labour Organisation, must be respected.
We believe...
Those who sign the agreement are committed to supporting the following:
- The rights of all citizens to access to clean and quality water of the highest standard
- The rights of citizens to improved water services.
Signatories also support Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) including:
- The right to organise
- The right of freedom of association
- The right to collectively bargain
Details of ILO Conventions can be found here: http://www.ilo.org/
Those who sign are also committed to healthy and safe workplaces of the highest standard.
They are also committed to working with water industry employees and their unions to ensure that citizens and workers have access to water made available through decent work in which workers' rights are respected.
Signatories do not support and are concerned about:
- Those that take away rights of citizens who work in the water industry.
- Governments and others which reduce co operation in the industry.
- Those who work against the interest of water industry workers and reduce their standards of living, conditions of employment or remuneration.
- Those who work against the interests of society and reduce the availability of water.
- Those who take away employees' basic rights at work or reduce workers wages or working conditions or workplace safety.
Those who sign are also concerned about the implications of bi-lateral trade agreements (eg USA - Australia FTA) & the World Trade Organisation - General Agreements on Trade in Services for waste water recycling and other water by products arrangements.
Signatories support and will encourage an open workplace including employees' unions having access to the workplace.
Our commitment
This commitment may be signed by individuals, workplace groups, workplace delegates of the ASU, or by other Unions, members of Government, members of Parliament, individual corporations, social movements and non-Government Organisations that are supportive of water services, communities and those that work within the water industry.
The principles of access of water for all and support for the UN & UN-ILO Charters stand above those that lessen standards of protection and exploit citizens or workers with a view to profit as opposed to water services that are not based upon profit. We support the fundamental principle of a water supply free of exploitation of members of the community and the employees that work in the water industry.
Those parties that are signatory to the agreement respect all these commitments, support their communities and their community representatives, and support the water industry workers and their Unions that represent them.
The parties that support these principles will not be tempted by Governments, external forces or others to fail in there support for these principles of fairness and equity.
How do I support the Charter?
Click here to send an email to the ASU indicating your support for the ASU Water Industry Charter. Please remember to include your details in the body of the email.
Related Documents
Download the Charter here.
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