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Europe

PSI is represented in Europe by the European Federation of Public Service Unions, based in Brussels. For more on our activities in this region, please see the EPSU website

You can also view a list of European affiliates or contact European regional offices

PSI General Secretary addresses world mayors: “You have a responsibility to be fair employers”

29 January 2018

On 25 January 2018, Rosa Pavanelli joined many mayors of world cities in Barcelona, including local Ada Colau, where the third United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) Annual Retreat and Campus took place.

Third Short-video Competition of the WATERLAT-GOBACIT Network

26 January 2018

Participation is open to professionals and beginners, regardless of age, country or language, and the reception of videos will close on 31 May 2018. PSI is member of WATERLAT-GOBACIT, an inter- and transdisciplinary network for teaching, research and practical action on the politics and management of water and water-based services.

Brazilian government wants Google's help to approve the pension reform

19 January 2018

According to a story published in the newspaper "O Globo", the website would conduct searches for the subject to official government content. The possible association receives criticism for trying to manipulate the population, using personal data of the Internet user and for violating the right of access to information and freedom of expression.

Video: UNISON interviews General Secretary of NAHWAL about the ebola outbreak in Liberia

19 January 2018

UNISON interview with George Poe Williams, General Secretary of PSI affiliate the National Health Workers Association of Liberia (NAHWAL), who was on the front line when Ebola hit. In Liberia, the government arbitrarily fired health workers who were on the front lines of the fight against Ebola; simply because they were trying to ensure adequate protection and working conditions for public workers.

Trump's war against immigrants from poor countries (and against human rights)

16 January 2018

In only three days, from January 8 to 11, the president of the United States eliminated the Temporary Protected Status for Salvadoran immigrants and said that El Salvador, Haiti and African nations are "shithole countries". His words were rejected by many people around the world. The president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) issued two strong statements.

TUAC Working Group on Education and Skills (Paris)

15 January 2018

PSI attended the TUAC Working Group on Education and Skills on 15-16 January 2018 at the OECD Conference Centre, 2 rue André-Pascal, 75016 Paris. Discussions were held on a wide range of OECD policies that attempt to address the needs of young people, teachers and workers overall.

Free trade or women's rights?

12 January 2018

After 30 years of neoliberal globalization, it has been increasingly acknowledged that austerity, privatization, deregulation of finance, markets and corporations, and trade and investment liberalization have had a devastating and discriminatory impact on women and have driven inequality. Recent large multilateral agreements, designed primarily to enable the unhindered flow of global capital, are significant barriers to the realization of the human rights of women.

The protests in Iran and the role of the International Monetary Fund

05 January 2018

Several media have identified declining living standards as the root cause of the protests, including the impact of new budget measures that are supposed to go into effect in March. However, few media reports have pointed out that the IMF has urged the country to adopt and implement some of the most unpopular measures.

Turin city council votes to fully remunicipalize its water utility

22 December 2017

In early October 2017, the city council of Turin (Italy) voted to change the legal status of its local water provider - the “Turin Metropolitan Water Company (SMAT)” - from a publicly-owned joint stock company governed by private law to an inter-municipal enterprise governed by public law.

Privatization Watch - 08/2017

21 December 2017

Latest issue of #PrivatizationWatch (08/2017) - The Global newsletter on privatization of public services around the world.

18 December - International Migrants Day Statement

18 December 2017

18 December 2017 - “We need a Global Compact on Migration that protects human rights and addresses the root causes of forced migration”. This is the message of Public Services International in commemoration of December 18 International Migrants Day.

A victory for the peoples of the world: the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference ends without agreements

14 December 2017

With decisive role of social movements from around the world, meeting in Buenos Aires failed to reach consensus that would benefit the transnationals and harm the world population, especially the poorest.

Women’s Rights Organizations call on Governments to Reject the WTO Declaration on “Women’s Economic Empowerment”

12 December 2017

According to the signatories of the letter, including PSI, the declaration “fails to address the adverse impact of WTO rules and instead appears to be designed to mask the failures of the WTO and its role in deepening inequality and exploitation”.

Civil society organizations protest against WTO Ministerial Conference

11 December 2017

PSI was one of the organizations that drove the action. According to Jocelio Drummond, Regional Secretary of PSI Inter-America, "the main struggle is to prevent the WTO from expanding its area of action on new issues, for example, electronic commerce".

Privatisation of Migration & Refugee Services & Other Forms of State Disengagement

11 December 2017

This research, written by Jane Lethbridge, Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU), examines the effects of the privatisation of services for refugees and migrants at national and international level.

The Route of Shame 2014 logos

22 May 2014
Route of Shame logo

Logos (in pdf and jpg) for the Route of Shame 2014 bicycle ride.

Logos exist in English, French and Spanish.

Presentation: Route of Shame 2014

22 May 2014
Route of Shame, Geneva

PSI Presentations on the 'Route of Shame', taking place in Geneva on Wednesday 4 June 2014. Presentations can be downloaded in English, French and Spanish.

Why we need public spending (updated)

21 May 2014
Why we need public spending - cover page

In May 2014, a revised version of the PSIRU study "Why we need public spending" was released as a joint publication of PSI and EPSU. This report is authored and updated by David Hall of the Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU). This study provides valuable facts, figures and arguments to defend public spending and public services and public service workers.

EUPHA Granada Declaration

14 May 2014
EUPHA logo

The European Public Health Association (EUPHA) from 9 to 12 April 2014 organised its 5th European Conference on Migrant and Ethnic Minority Health in Granada, Spain.

The participants adopted a declaration as they felt that "when many European countries are implementing austerity policies, it is especially important that the public health community should speak out on behalf of the poor and marginalized. Among them are many migrants, who for various reasons are especially vulnerable at this time.”

Speech given by PSI General Secretary at the 7th Global Forum on Migration and Development

13 May 2014
Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary, addressing the Common Space Panel session at the GFMD

PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli addressed the delegates of the 7th Global Forum on Migration and Development on 14 May in the Common Space Panel session on Labour Migration. An estimated 900 delegates representing governments, civil society, international organizations and experts participated in the forum.

PSI Special Report: TISA versus Public Services

28 April 2014
Cover page - TISA versus Public Services

A new report by Public Services International (PSI) warns that governments are planning to take the world on a liberalisation spree on a scale never seen before. According to the report, this massive trade deal will put public healthcare, broadcasting, water, transport and other services at risk. The proposed deal could make it impossible for future governments to restore public services to public control, even in cases where private service delivery has failed. It would also restrict a government’s ability to regulate key sectors including financial, energy, telecommunications and cross-border data flows.

Model press release - TISA

25 April 2014

STRICTLY EMBARGOED – not for publication or distribution until 28 APRIL 2014

Petition signed by 350 organisations opposed to the TISA

25 April 2014

Our World is Not for Sale (OWINFS) petition signed by over 350 organisations. Available in five languages.

Model protest letter - TISA

25 April 2014

A model letter of protest available in five languages to send to your government.

Why the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) is a bad deal

25 April 2014

Information leaflet for handing out to members and at public protests

Badges: No trade in public services

17 April 2014
No trade in public services badge image

Join in the global movement to protest the Trade In Services Agreement (TISA) negotiations. Create your own badges - download the file in the language of your choice.

Banners: No trade in public services

17 April 2014

Join in the global movement to protest the Trade In Services Agreement (TISA) negotiations. Create your own banner - download the file in the language of your choice.

Posters: Racism? Not for us!

19 March 2014

Download our posters and speak out and take a stand against racism and xenophobia!

Austerity is bad for everyone’s health: cuts in nurses and training hurt patients

03 March 2014
nurse

Study: Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries

Mortality rates after common surgical procedures decrease dramatically if patients receive treatment in hospitals where nurses have managable workloads and hold bachelor's degrees, according to a study published in The Lancet.

Statement: Putting women’s rights to decent work, quality education and quality public services at the heart of the post-2015 Agenda

27 February 2014

Statement submitted to the UNCSW58 by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Education International (EI) and Public Services International (PSI), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), civil society organisations with consultative status at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).