Brussels, 15/03/2012
CONSEQUENCES OF IMPOSED AUSTERITY
In 2012, the number of billionaires in the world increased once again, despite the crisis
"In its latest rich list, the American Forbes magazine reported that there are 1226 billionaires in the world in 2012, which is 16 more than the previous year, a new record since the annual list was created 25 years ago.”
“Overall, the world’s billionaires have wealth worth in excess of 4600 billion dollars, with an average of 3.7 billion each. Despite the crisis, this average has remained unchanged since 2011. While the number of billionaires in Europe grew by 50 in 2010, the old continent gained ‘only’ 16 extra billionaires in 2011.”
The number of billionaires in Europe grew by 50 in 2010
{{THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES }}
“A financial transaction tax (FTT) at a low rate of 0.05% could generate revenue estimated at almost 200 billion € per year at the European Union (EU) level, and 650 billion $ globally."
“We need a European FTT today in order to raise funds to finance the recovery measures and cope with purely speculative activities. A European financial transaction tax applied to all financial transactions would make a major contribution towards driving down speculation, and the taxes levied on banks would limit their excessive recourse to unstable financing sources”.
We need to see alternative policies
• Demand a financial transaction tax;
• Put a stop to exorbitant remuneration packages, golden parachutes and excessive bonuses for directors;
• Set up harmonisation of the consolidated corporate tax base at European level;
• Define a minimum rate of taxation for companies;
• Wage a proper battle against tax evasion and tax fraud.
The ETUC expresses its solidarity and full support