30/03/2010

The TUAC welcomes the release of new OECD Recommendation on Principles for Transparency and Integrity in Lobbying as approved by the OECD Council on 18 February. The TUAC and its sister organisation the Public Services International made a joint submission to the OECD as part of a public consultation round on an earlier draft version of the Recommendation in November 2009. A major concern for TUAC & the PSI was the absence of reference to the role and responsibilities of the 'ordering parties' - such as large private corporations - who are the ultimate beneficiaries of activities conducted by lobbying firms. This concern has been addressed in the final version of the Recommendation. Others concerns by TUAC & PSI touched upon (i) protecting democratic processes, (ii) ensuring fair and equitable access to public policies, (iii) addressing multi-level governance (federal/central versus provincial/local), (iv) reinforcing the role of civil society and independent media.

TUAC calls for the effective implementation of the Recommendation by all OECD member states. TUAC also welcomes the expected inclusion of the Recommendation in the forthcoming OECD Declaration on Propriety, Integrity and Transparency to be adopted in June 2010.

Links

• 19/02/2010| OECD Recommendation on Principles for Transparency and Integrity in Lobbying
• 30/11/2009| OECD Consultation on lobbying: Joint Submission by the TUAC & the PSI