World

The 25th round of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnerships (RCEP) concluded on February 28th in Bali, Indonesia. At a half-day consultation organized by trade negotiators, trade union representatives raised the challenges that RCEP poses to democratic decision-making, the right to water, and workers’ rights.

As members of UK PSI affiliate Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) working at HM Revenue and Customs walk out of the closure-threatened Ealing office at noon on 20 March, PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka will join them on the picket line.

Over 40 people have been murdered in Christchurch, New Zealand after a right-wing gunman attacked two mosques. Public service workers and first responders dealt with over 100 casualties and saved dozens of lives.

This year, International Women's Day coincided with historic events in Algeria, which manifested in a series of popular demonstrations across the country against the fifth term re-election of the president Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the suppression of freedom.

In honour of International Women’s Day on 8 March, 50 members from various public sector trade unions and supporting civil society organisations marched through the streets of Manzini. PSI Global Women’s Organising Committee chair, Irene Khumalo, was in attendance.

Gender-based violence blights the lives of millions of women. It excludes women from the world of work and often stigmatises them within their communities. Read the ITUC statement here.

PSI is deeply saddened by the death of former Deputy General Secretary, Alan Leather who died on 3 March 2019, after a long illness. Alan will be sorely missed. His death is a personal blow to many people around the world, the international trade union community will remember his name for years to come.