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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

UN staff protest in Geneva against unilateral 7.5% pay cut

27 April 2017
No 7.5% pay cut

At its 84th session, in March 2017, the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) decided that pay for UN Geneva-based staff will be reduced by 7.5%. This amounts to a reduction of one month’s salary in a year.

Rosa Pavanelli addresses the Opening Session of the ILO Tripartite Meeting on Improving Employment and Working Conditions in the Health Services

24 April 2017

PSI's General Secretary was elected to serve as the Chairperson of the Workers’ group. Here is the speech she delivered on April 24.

PSI Communications team launches “One Day” a PSI video series on public service workers starting with firefighters, child care and waste collection workers

21 April 2017
Rubbish collectors in Siena

The PSI Communications team has started a series of videos on the everyday work and dedication of public sector workers and the value they bring to their communities. The PSI team will visit about 10 countries in 5 continents and cover professions from the whole PSI affiliate spectrum facilitated by participating affiliates and PSI staff where possible. The first filming took place in Rome and Siena, Italy, and was facilitated by PSI affiliate CGIL Funzione Pubblica (CGIL-FP).

Turkey: Solidarity fund for trade unions

20 April 2017

In the aftermath of the failed coup that took place last July, the Turkish government has arrested and detained thousands of workers and trade unionists. Public employees have been summarily suspended or dismissed. PSI calls on affiliates to contribute to a solidarity fund to help trade unions and workers operate under these difficult conditions. #SolidarityTurkey

OUR HEALTH IS NOT FOR SALE! PSI affiliates mark World Health Day with struggle for the Right to Health

14 April 2017
FESPROSA

PSI affiliates in the health sector marked World Health Day with actions taken in different parts of the world as part of the PSI Human Right to Health global campaign. These involved collaborations with other civil society organisations illustrate the fight against the commodification of health in some countries and regions.

Audio: Healthcare is a basic human right

07 April 2017

RadioLabour interviews PSI General-Secretary Rosa Pavanelli on PSI's recently launched campaign for the Human Right to Health aimed at promoting universal public health coverage for all.

Oppression leads to Depression - World Health Day 2017

07 April 2017

Confronting Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), often simply called depression, is the theme for this year’s World Health Day on 7 April. MDD is a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of persistent sadness and a loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities.

Towards autonomy and self-determination for persons with autism

03 April 2017
by Becky Wetherington

The 2017 World Autism Awareness Day was marked on 2 April across the world with the theme: towards autonomy and self-determination. National and international policy-makers took the time to lend their voices to the need for provision of care and support for persons with autism. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres captured this spirit in his message for the day, when he said: “Let us ensure that we make available the necessary accommodations and support to persons with autism.”

UNCSW61 comes to an end

31 March 2017
UNCSW61

The Conclusions of the Session 61 of the United Nations Commission on the Legal and Social Status of Women recognised important objectives on PSI's policy agenda, although there were also gaps on issues that the global union will continue to champion tirelessly.

Privatization Watch - 03/2017

30 March 2017

An overview of global trends in privatization of public services. Privatization Watch - Issue 03/2017.

Inspiring campaigning! #TaxJustice for Women's Rights Global Days of Action

27 March 2017

The final week of the #TaxJustice for Women's Rights Global Days of Action has been extremely busy. These have been truly global days of action, as you will see from the photos, events and actions from around the world.

"We stand for public funding of public quality water and sanitation services for realizing women's rights"

22 March 2017

Today, 22 March, World Water Day, PSI's General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli states the importance of tax-funded public water and sanitation for all, but especially for realizing women's rights. In an interview*, Pavanelli talks about the major challenges in achieving this goal.

Global Unions Statement: Support the inclusion and retention of the full and substantive role of the ILO in the UNCSW61 Agreed Conclusions

22 March 2017

Member states at the annual Sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) are currently negotiating ‘Agreed Conclusions’ on this year’s priority theme: ‘Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work’.

PSI joins "Initiative for Child Rights in the Global Compacts"

17 March 2017

Public Services International joins key civil society organizations working on migrant rights, refugee rights, experts and international organizations in uplifting the rights of the child into the Global Compact on Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees that will be adopted in 2018.

Germany moves closer to safe and effective staffing for health

15 March 2017
"You don't look too good, shall I call the nurse?" "I AM the nurse"

A step further towards safe and effective staffing for health was taken in Germany, in the first week of March. The Federal Ministry of Health's expert committee on hospital nursing staff issued a report stating that quality of patient care is impacted by staffing levels, and called for binding minimal nursing staff levels to ensure safe and effective hospital care.