Resources 30
PSI WATER CODE

The PSI Executive Committee approved the proposed Water Code of Conduct at its meeting immediately prior to Congress. The official wording is:

Sign up for Clean and Safe Drinking Water and Fair Labour Practices in Water services

Water: an Essential Public Service

This code of conduct reflects a common effort of companies providing the public service of supplying clean and safe drinking water to communities, and trade unions organising water workers, to address issues related to public service obligations, democratic regulation, environmental standards and fair labour practices. It promotes their common interest in delivering drinking water of high quality and safe treatment and disposal of sewage and other contaminated effluents for citizens.

Access to clean and affordable drinking water must be regarded as a fundamental human right. This right must be protected, monitored and enforced by the appropriate public authorities in the communities in which water companies operate. The Code of Conduct recognises that the health, welfare and prosperity of all citizens depend on the production and distribution of good quality drinking water and the safe treatment and disposal of sewage and other contaminated effluents.

Water service providers have a commitment to ensure quality, universally available, potable water for citizens, careful water resource management and waste water management for our environment and fair treatment for water service workers.

Chapter One: Safe and Clean Drinking Water, Sound Systems of Sewage disposal and Water Resource Management

The aims of the code of conduct are:

• To promote access for all citizens to clean and safe drinking water.
• To promote access to a safe, efficient and environmentally sound system of sewage disposal. Water systems need to be developed and maintained and water resources protected. Signatories to the Code of Conduct recognise Agenda 21 of the Earth Summit (1992) as the reference point for sustainable development of water-resources.
• To establish common agreement that the supply of drinking water and the disposal of sewage and other contaminated effluents are essential public services.

• Access for all at affordable prices, continuity and security of supply of drinking water and disposal of sewage are important public service obligations. Fair and just solutions will be sought for any citizens with difficulties to pay if necessary through the appropriate legal process. Disconnections of water supply should be prohibited.

• To promote that the supply of drinking water and the disposal of sewage and other contaminated effluents must be under democratic control and regulation by the appropriate public authorities.

Transparency (and integrity) in operations and not engaging in corruption are important conditions to guarantee that democratic decisions prevail. Signatories to this code of conduct advocate democratic regulation based on the citizens' right-to-information and the right-to-participate in the regulation regarding water quality, tariffs and the investment policies of water companies in local communities' water systems for example. Financial means should be provided so citizens can actively exercise these rights. This is a prerequisite for democracy to function.

Profits made, if any, are to contribute fully to the development of the water-services systems in the communities. Regulators are to guarantee compliance with investment plans.

National water programmes integrating economic, environmental and community concerns need to be established to ensure the development of water-resources and water-services proceeds in a consistent manner. Community Water Councils, including representatives of users and workers in the community, will be promoted.

Chapter Two: Fair Labour Conditions in Water Services

This Code of Conduct recognises that the supply of drinking water and the disposal of sewage and other contaminating affluents is best ensured by well qualified and skilled employees, and based on good relations between the water companies and their employees. PSI and the water companies agree that the development of water services to local communities is dependent on professionalism and contributions of the workers of the water-companies.

Constructive industrial relations and social dialogue promote productivity, employment security and good employment and working conditions. PSI and the water companies signatory to the code of conduct recognise that competition in the industry is to be based on the quality of product and service and shall not be based on working conditions and employment as this will bring hardship to workers and their families as well as the communities in which they live.

Citizens and local communities can have confidence that the services provided in accordance with the standards laid down in this code of conduct are not performed under exploitative or inhumane working conditions by the companies signatory to the code of conduct. These companies are also committed to apply these same principles to workers of subsidiaries, joint ventures, sub-contractors and suppliers and will assess and verify whether subsidiaries, joint ventures, sub-contractors and suppliers meet the principles set out in this Code of Conduct.

To this end the following apply:

• It is recognised that International Labour Office Conventions are central to fair labour practices, in particular, the right to collective bargaining, and the right to be represented by a trade union. (ILO Conventions 87 and 98).
• The water companies recognise the valuable contribution trade unions make to prevention of exploitation. They will adopt a positive approach towards the activities of trade unions. They will not interfere in any manner with any employee's decision to be represented by a union. Companies will refrain from any interference, harassment or intimidation of employees during trade union organising efforts.
• There is no place for the use of child or forced labour in the water industry, including in the construction of facilities. (ILO Conventions 29, 105 and 138).
• The water companies acknowledge the right of their workers to receive a just and fair wage which will enable workers to provide a decent home and living standard for themselves and their families and which will enable them to contribute to the economic well being of their communities.
• Employers will ensure equal treatment of women and men. To this end equal opportunity programmes will be negotiated with the trade unions.
• Wages, benefits, working hours and other working conditions shall comply with applicable law and industry standards and be based on negotiations between representatives from both sides of the industry.
• Employers should endeavour to provide regular and secure employment and refrain from the excessive use of temporary or casual labour. Obligations to employees arising from the regular employment relationship should not be avoided through the use of labour only sub-contracting arrangements, or through apprenticeship schemes where there is no real intent to impart skills or provide regular employment. Younger workers should be provided the opportunity to participate in education and training programmes.
• A healthy and safe working environment shall be provided based on the prevailing knowledge of the industry and the hazards known.
• Water companies operating on a transnational basis and having subsidiaries in more than one country shall negotiate, with a PSI delegation of trade unions representing workers in their subsidiaries, appropriate forums for information and consultation on matters relating to the company. To ensure the forums will function, properly sufficient resources will be provided by the employer.
• To ensure that fair labour practices prevail in the water industry, Public Services International and the companies signatory to the agreement will establish an International Water Industry Council to monitor and promote safe and clean drinking water and sound management of sewage and other contaminated effluents based on fair labour practices, high standards for health and safety and adequate training and skill development for employees in the water industry. To this end a delegation of PSI and of the water companies will meet at least once a year to discuss developments in the industry. The International Water Industry Council and the delegation composed of PSI and the water companies must be consulted and must dispose of sufficient material and human resources to permit a valid debate.

International financial institutions shall be encouraged to guarantee that all water companies seeking funding apply the provisions of this Charter when such institutions provide loans for investments in water-services. This will ensure a level playing field and fair competition for the companies seeking such investment which will not harm workers, their families and the communities they are living in.