News

UNI Americas Finance gathered in Buenos Aires to commemorate the third meeting of the Alliance to Defend Public Banks, with the participation of comr@des of the entire region. In this framework, a Statement relevant to all the unions that integrate UNI was issued. 

PUBLIC BANKS STALKED BY NEOLIBERALISM

In the context of the offensive and penetration of neoliberalism, as with the coup in Brazil and the election of a right-wing government in Argentina, we note with concern the imminent risk of privatization of companies and public services in the region, along with the subsequent precarious work and quality of life in the society as a whole.

Typically, liberalism is opposed to growth and, more often than not, to the very existence of Public Banks due to its apologetic ideology of the private sector activity. Unfortunately, as we see, neoliberalism is like a natural enemy of Public Banks, which should be dully protected against the desires of the former when pursuing economic development opportunities and social justice for the population.

NEOLIBERALISM OFFENSIVE AGAINST PUBLIC BANKS

In order for a country to achieve a balanced economic development with inclusion and social justice, the State needs to play a predominant role in the economy. Public Banks are an appropriate instrument to this.

In different occasions, we categorically demonstrated in favour of Public Banks and their wide and important contributions, among which we can mention the promotion of:

Economic and social development, focused on loans for priority economic and social sectors.
Production, employment, housing, consumption, foreign trade, industry, agroindustry, regional economies, the development of cities and villages, the State's investment in infrastructure, technological and logistics development, social assistance and a better regional integration among neighbouring countries.
Credit support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The development of remote, inhospitable, low-populated or less economically developed areas, where Public Banks are present but private banks not, because they find it unprofitable.
The prevention of concentration of banks in a few entities, with all the consequent risks.
Counter-cyclical economic policies to address crises.
Proper use of considerable public funds, for which reason Public Banks should be the States' financial agent.
Public banks as the base to ensure democracy, national sovereignty and redistributive public policies.

PUBLIC BANKS AND QUALITY OF LIFE

The financial sector is the economic growth engine, as long as it channels resources from savings towards financing productive activities. Undoubtedly, public banks should play a key role in the access by the population to financial services and to long term financing for productive activities; if not, this would not be fulfilled by any other player in the financial system.

The presence of important Public Banks coincides with the good quality of life of the population. This does not catch our attention, since we are convinced that solid and efficient Public Banks contribute significantly to the progress of nations and the well-being of their inhabitants. For example, LATIN AMERICA: it should be considered that, in this region, quality of life is relatively better in countries where the presence of Public Banks is significantly higher, such as in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. As opposed to this, quality of life decreases in countries where official banks have a minimal presence, as in several countries of Central America.

FINAL CONCLUSIONS

It is clear that Public Banks contribute to improve equality, well-being and quality of life of the people, while the main objective of private banks is, logically, their own corporative profits. Hence, Public Banks must be protected by measures that prevent their unduly restriction by neoliberalism disproportionate eagerness, and promoted to benefit nations and their inhabitants.

PROPOSALS

Adoption of a high-impact awareness campaign similar to our comrades' in Brazil under the motto "IF IT IS PUBLIC, THEREFORE IT IS FOR EVERYBODY"
Convention of workers, unions and diverse social groups to promote the non-observance of TTP and TISA treaties.
Support and actual assistance for every country subscribed to UNI to defend their struggles
Distribution and communication of this document amongst the different activist leaders, union delegates, activists, etc.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Unions and Associations strong advocacy for Public Banks should be stressed.
This Latin American meeting gave a special recognition to the Tunisia union for their struggle to defend Public Banks which strengthen the society as a whole.

Full support of the PEACE PROCESS in Colombia