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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

Nursing home giants shifting millions in profits offshore

02 May 2018

Australia’s largest aged care providers are paying minimal tax while receiving hundreds of millions in government subsidies. The companies are using the same «tricks and schemes» as tech giants to minimize the amount of tax they pay.

May Day: forget the elites, it's workers' stories which need to be told

30 April 2018

PSI launches video series featuring 16 stories from nine countries – Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Italy, USA, Chad, Lebanon, Guatemala and Brazil - to praise the work of public servants around the world.

28 April: fight for safe, healthy and decent workplaces

27 April 2018

7,850 workers die every day from accidents at the workplace or occupational diseases stemming largely from poor working conditions. 2.78 million workers continue to die each year from work-related injuries and illnesses. 2.4 million of these deaths can be attributed to work-related diseases alone.

Global Unions and ITUC protest in Geneva demanding freedom for Lula

27 April 2018
Photo: IndustriALL/CC

On 27 April, PSI together with fellow global unions [IndustriALL, UNI, IUF] and ITUC delivered a letter to the Brazilian mission to the UN, urging the immediate release of former Brazilian President Lula

Privatization Watch - 02/2018

26 April 2018

Latest issue of #PrivatizationWatch (02/2018) - The Global newsletter on privatization of public services around the world.

Addressing gender biases and inequities in the health and social care workforce is critical to achieving the SDGs

24 April 2018

PSI’s updated research “Tackling Violence in the Health Sector - A Trade Union Response” was highlighted in a webinar held on March 5 by the WHO’s Global Health Workforce Network (GWHN) thematic hub on Gender Equity in the Health and Social Workforce. The updated publication was one of four submissions in the webinar that showcased the wide range of research, policies and actions to achieve gender-transformative change in the health and social workforce.

PSI statement on UNCSW62

18 April 2018

Union women from around the world attended the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW62), which took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 12-23 March 2018.

Global Unions met with Belarus Mission in Geneva to stop persecution of independent trade unions

18 April 2018

PSI joined a solidarity action organized by IndustriAll, and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), who expressed their concern about a new wave of serious violations of fundamental labour rights in Belarus. The unions, representing more than 200 million members, call on the Belarus government to stop persecuting independent trade unions and fulfill their ILO obligations.

86 CSOs sign open letter on PPPs to World Bank Executive Directors

17 April 2018

Among several demands to government representatives at World Bank Board of Directors, Civil Society Organisations call on them to declare a moratorium on funding and promoting Public-Private Partnerships until an independent review is available.

Tackling gender-based violence in the world of work – experiences in the health sector

16 April 2018

PSI is pleased to present the updated report entitled “Tackling Violence in the Health Sector - A Trade Union Response”, a consolidated research effort first released in 2016. The 2018 updated version of the study integrates the latest achievements of our affiliated unions in the health sector.

In Germany, Ver.di Calls for Token Strike: More than 45,000 Workers Taking Part

13 April 2018
Photo: Daniel Pilar/Ver.di

There have been strikes in a total of eleven Länder and in nearly all federal and municipal public service sectors and institutions. On Friday 13 April too, work stoppages are taking place in many public service sectors and institutions.

Unacceptable and Unfair Treatment of UN Staff based in Bangkok

12 April 2018
Photo: Pong-sul Ahn

If changes are implemented, Bangkok will be the first UN station in the world with three tiers of staffing. This follows a review in 2011 that reduced salaries of local staff in Bangkok by 22%.

HEALTH FOR ALL: marking the 2018 World Health Day

06 April 2018
Saturday 7 April is the 2018 World Health Day (WHD). This date was chosen to draw global attention to international health every year with a dedicated theme, when the World Health Organization was formed seventy years ago.

Major gender pay gaps in the UK labour market

04 April 2018

Gender pay gap figures disclosed by the UK's biggest companies have shown that the vast majority of them pay men more than women. 78 percent of the companies pay men more.

Open letter from Rosa Pavanelli to the international trade union movement on the recent events involving the ILO Governing Body

28 March 2018

"The method and content of the actions of the Workers’ Group leadership is the latest episode revealing a structural lack of cooperation, solidarity and democracy among the global trade unions. We regret to say that with this action PSI has lost confidence and trust in the Workers’ Group leadership", says the PSI's General Secretary.

Report of the SESH Working Group meeting

10 July 2015

The report of the PSI working group meeting on Safe and Effective Staffing for Health (SESH), that met on 11-12 May 2015 at UNISON in London, is now available for download in English, French and Spanish.

ICRICT declaration

11 June 2015

On 2 June 2015, the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT) launched a global declaration calling for an overhaul of the outdated international corporate tax system and demanding broad, sweeping changes in the current rules and governing institutions.

Speech by Rosa Pavanelli at the ILC 2015

05 June 2015
Rosa Pavanelli speaking at ILC 2015

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, spoke at the 104th International Labour Conference (ILC) on Friday 5 June 2015.

Golden Dodges: How McDonald’s Avoids Paying its Fair Share of Tax

13 May 2015

This new report, released on 19 May, reveals that McDonald’s is using aggressive strategies to avoid paying tax in some of its largest markets.

Charter: PSI Education Support and Cultural Workers’ Network

22 April 2015

During the founding meeting of the PSI Education Support and Cultural Workers Network (ESCW), that took place on 18-19 November 2014 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a charter of the network was adopted.

Our public water future: The global experience with remunicipalisation

18 April 2015

Privatisation on the backfoot as new book shows that the growing wave of cities putting water back under public control has now spread to 37 countries impacting 100 million people.

Publication: Why Public-Private Partnerships don’t work

17 March 2015
Why Public Private Partnerships don’t work

The new report Why Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) don’t work: The many advantages of the public alternative contains a combination of 30 years of research by David Hall, former Director of Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) University of Greenwich, UK.

Report: Unhappy Meal

27 February 2015

This report is the product of a coalition of European and American trade unions, representing more than 15 million workers in different sectors of the economy in 40 countries, and War on Want, the U.K.-based anti-poverty campaign group. The members of the coalition work towards an economy built on decent jobs and a fair, progressive tax system at the global, E.U., and national levels. It is the first time that we have joined forces to highlight an example of corporate tax avoidance, a critical issue a¬ecting the future of democracy and the welfare state.

Wealth: Having It All and Wanting More

25 February 2015

This research paper published by Oxfam International shows that the richest 1 percent have seen their share of global wealth increase from 44 percent in 2009 to 48 percent in 2014 and at this rate will be more than 50 percent in 2016.

Banner: Right to strike

13 February 2015

Use these banners in your Right to Strike activities on 18 February and until 21 March.

Secret proposal for trade in health services in direct conflict with global agenda for health

03 February 2015

A recently leaked proposal tabled by Turkey in the TISA negotiations argues for a system that promotes insurance reimbursement (for those who have health insurance) for treatment at lower cost in another country.

PSI and EI Cooperation Agreement

18 December 2014

On 18th December 2014, PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, and EI General Secretary, Fred Van Leeuwen, signed a cooperation agreement that will strengthen public sector unions in their joint action.

Briefing on US TISA proposal on E-commerce, Technology Transfer, Cross-border Data Flows and Net Neutrality

17 December 2014

A proposal by the US Trade Representative (USTR) dated 25 April 2014 to the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) negotiations has been leaked. It focuses on e-commerce, technology transfer, cross-border data flows and net neutrality.

On Migrants Day, PSI reiterates its commitment to decent work and social protection for all

15 December 2014
Photo: Gustave Deghilage - Creative Commons

Public Services International (PSI) marks December 18th – International Migrants Day, with continued vigour and commitment to fight for decent work and social protection for migrant workers.

Stand for democracy at work on Human Rights Day!

10 December 2014
SEIU, US. Photo: Carrie Sloan, Creative Commons

“Everyone must enjoy full access to decent work, education, health, safety and peace,” says Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary. On International Human Rights Day, PSI calls on its affiliates and activists to unite and stand firm against the attack on core labour rights and freedoms.