International

Water in public hands helps end poverty

As a key water industry union, the ASU campaigns to keep water in public hands. We recognise that crucial social infrastructure cannot be trusted in the hands of organisations whose first interest is profit. If this is the case in Australia, it is even truer in the third world. As part of the global events of July 7, 2007, the ASU is promoting the publication of "Water as a public service" a Public Services International (PSI) report revealing the devastating effects of privatising water.

July 7, 2007, marks the half way point to the 2015 deadline for meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In summary, the MDGs are: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; Achieve universal primary education; Promote gender equality and empower women; Reduce child mortality by two thirds for children under five; Improve maternal health; Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; Ensure environmental sustainability; Develop a global partnership for development. To find out more details about the MDGs, visit the Oxfam website at: http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/mtf/povertyhistory/goals.html

The report "Water as a public service" written by David Hall and Emanuele Lobina, is published in association with the Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU). It will be presented on July 7, 2007. The report is a devastating critique of World Bank and International Monetary Fund policies, which have forced governments to privatise key public infrastructure. It provides a framework of policies and actions on how to build and operate the water infrastructure and sanitation services for the world's cities and towns.

"Access to clean water and sanitation is crucial to end poverty and disease. Public services unions are key players in reaching this goal. They provide leadership and bring together users, community groups and public authorities to promote the right to water through public ownership, public management and public investment", Hans Engelberts, General Secretary of PSI stated at the launch of the report.

Governments made promises to provide the necessary investment and resources to achieve the MDGs. PSI and its affiliate, the ASU, together with the global union movement and many others, calls on national governments and the international community to renew their commitments and live up to their pledges made in 2000.

Even if the targets are achieved, there will still be more than 800 million people without water and 1.8 billion people without sanitation in 2015. Public financing, estimated at about $10 billion a year - holds the key to overcoming deficits in water and sanitation. It represents less than five days' worth of global military spending and less than half what rich countries spend each year on mineral water.

The ASU and PSI believe the MDGs will not be achieved without public investment, a strong public sector, and a well trained and well valued workforce. The developed world should look back on their own histories to understand the fundamental role of public infrastructure to their own growth and development.

"The best way out of poverty is a decent job. In many countries, the private sector creates the majority of jobs. But the private sector depends on public infrastructure services, such as water and electricity, roads and transport, education and health. Without these public services, the private sector is not able to function", says Hans Engelberts.

More information

Contact: David Boys, Utilities and Pensions Officer of PSI: +33 607092647

Water as a public service by David Hall and Emanuele Lobina is a 40 page booklet published by Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) and commissioned by Public Services International http://www.world-psi.org/

To order your copy contact info@world-psi.org or phone +33 450406464

Available now in English, French and Spanish - PDF version available for downloading at: http://www.world-psi.org/waterbooklet