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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

Saving Lives Needs Safety!

27 November 2016

25 November - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Trade unions are struggling to end violence at the workplace and in society. We stand for peaceful solutions, a culture of dialogue based on the human right to health, peace and social protection. In all countries, we need a strong commitment from governments to address the deeply rooted causes of violence against women: inequality and discrimination.

ILO: towards a standard against violence and harassment in the world of work

24 November 2016

On 7 November, the ILO Governing Body unanimously endorsed the work and conclusions by a group of experts on the issue of violence in the world of work, and requested the Office to prepare the first standard-setting discussion by the International Labour Conference in June 2018.

Swiss health workers mobilise for quality health and better working conditions

24 November 2016

The PSI affiliate Syndicat Suisse des Services Publics (SSP), is campaigning for the Quality of Care Over Profitability in Switzerland. This is a struggle against the 2012 Health Insurance Act which institutionalised the commercialisation and outsourcing of healthcare delivery.

Habitat III’s New Urban Agenda will not deliver unless it creates decent work and fully includes trade unions and workers

21 November 2016
Habitat III

Over 70 people attended Habitat III’s Trade Union and Workers Roundtable held on 18 October 2016 by a joint international trade union and allies delegation headed by Public Services International (PSI) and Building and Woodworkers International (BWI).

WHO lifts global emergency on Zika: better funded public healthcare needed to curb epidemics

21 November 2016
Photo: WHO/PAHO

The WHO's announcement that the spread of the Zika virus is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern is both a welcome development and a cause for apprehension. PSI is strongly of the view that this must not be taken as an excuse by governments to reduce much needed funding and attention prioritisation for building stronger health systems and crisis preparedness.

UNISON Petitions Liberian Government: Demands Reinstatement of Tamba and Poe Williams

18 November 2016

In a letter to the president of Liberia, submitted at the country's Embassy in London on November 18, Dave Prentis, UNISON's General Secretary expressed “grave concerns over the situation of workers in the health sector in Liberia”, drawing particular attention to the dismissals of Brothers Joseph S. Tamba and George Poe Williams.

PSI supports the release of ICRICT's second declaration

16 November 2016

"Four Ways to Tackle International Tax Competition" was launched on 15 November in Brussels by the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT).

All “Eyes on Diabetes”

14 November 2016

PSI affiliates across the world are participating in a series of activities today as 957 events are being held in 152 countries to mark World Diabetes Day (WDD) 2016. The theme of this year’s WDD is “Eyes on Diabetes.” This underscores the need for greater awareness by all and sundry on the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis, particularly of type 2 diabetes, and treatment needed to minimize the possibility of aggravated complications.

TiSA: Trade in Services Agreement is Bad News for Workers and Communities

14 November 2016

As trade negotiators representing 50 countries meet behind closed doors to try and finalise the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) before the end of the year, the ITUC has released a new analysis of leaked information about the deal "All about TiSA: Everything you didn't know about the Trade in Services Agreement".

PSI Health Task Force (Geneva)

10 November 2016
Photo: Direct Relief - Creative Commons

PSI is holding this meeting with major affiliates in the health and social services sector to review and renew the PSI health and social services strategy, and to collect views and develop a consensus on the actions that affiliates and PSI should pursue with regard to the major issues that we have provisionally identified for the sector.

EU: whistleblowers need wide and comprehensive legal protection - Sign the petition!

07 November 2016

On 17 October a platform for a EU-wide whistleblower protection was launched by 44 organizations calling on the European Commission to urgently take action on bringing forward proposals on EU-wide legislation on whistleblower protection with a broad scope of groups and areas of activities protected.

CETA steamrolls on but unions & civil society will continue the fight

27 October 2016

Under immense pressure from the EU and corporate lobby groups, the Belgian region of Wallonia has given in to the CETA deal.

PSI Local and Regional Government Unions set common priorities and launch Global LRG/Municipal Workers’ Network

25 October 2016
LRG meeting

Over 60 PSI affiliated union representatives from the local and regional government sector (LRG) and from 30 countries worldwide gathered in Brussels, Belgium, last 19 September for a PSI and EPSU convened global LRG/municipal sector-wide conference, to share and identify common challenges, joint priorities and good practices.

No means no! Civil society and unions stand with Wallonia in rejecting CETA

24 October 2016

The Belgian region of Wallonia is standing strong against attempts by the EU and Canada to push through the signing of the CETA deal, despite mass mobilization and strong public opposition to the regressive trade pact.

PSI at the Open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights

24 October 2016

From 24 to 28 October 2016, Public Services International, together with Governments, regional and political groups, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, NGOs and many other relevant stakeholders, will be participating in the 2nd public meetings of the Open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights (OEIWG), which could lead to the adoption of an international legally binding instrument on transnational corporations (TNCs or MNEs).