EPSU brings McDonald’s tax evasion menu in the French parliament
Last Friday, the European Federation of Public Services Unions presented McDonald’s tax avoidance scheme and EPSU's tax justice priorities at the Assemblée Nationale
On the occasion of the colloquium "Paradis fiscaux, évasion fiscale: une question de justice", organised by the French NGO CCFD-Terre Solidaire at the Assemblée Nationale, Nadja Salson, EPSU policy officer, presented the McDonald's scandal. Further, alongside Antoine Deltour - LuxLeaks whistleblower -, French journalists, European and French members of Parliament, she addressed EPSU's tax justice priorities.
Nadja Salson's presentation was based on the report “UnHappyMeal”, co-published by an international coalition of European and US trade unions and War on Want, on Mac Donald’s tax avoidance strategy that involves profit-shifting through artificial subsidiaries in Luxembourg and Switzerland and, possibly, a tax ruling.
This Swiss/Luxembourg “burger” enables Europe’s fast-food leader to benefit from low tax regimes in both countries. The tax impact is huge as it is estimated that more than € 1 billion of much needed public income in Europe between 2009 and 2013 has been lost that could have been reinvested in public services we all need.
“This case illustrates a business model of maximizing profits and minimizing tax and wages which we strongly oppose.” says Nadja Salson.
Following the publication of the report, the Commission has started investigating Mc Donald’s tax practices in light of EC state aids rules.
Further the presentation of the McDonald's case, key recommendations were presented for binding rules on tax transparency -public country-by-country reporting, directive for an automatic exchange of tax rulings- and on tax justice -a common corporate tax, ban on tax minimizing rulings, and to stop the austerity cuts in tax administrations. EPSU also called for an EU legal protection for whistleblowers.
Ms Salson concluded: "Tax justice is a strong trade union matter. Access to information on corporate profit must be part of trade union rights to information and consultation. It is an essential tool to collective bargaining at the workplace".
For further information click here (press relaese in French)
