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PSI at the United Nations High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development (HLD)

The United Nations General Assembly will hold a High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development (UN HLD) on 3-4 October 2013 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The objective of this UN HLD is to “identify concrete measures to strengthen coherence and cooperation at all levels, with a view to enhancing the benefits of international migration for migrants and countries alike and its important links to development, while reducing its negative implications” (UN General Assembly Resolution A/C.2/67/L.15/Rev.1, 12 December 2012).

PSI influencing United Nations policy on health employment

24 March 2016
Photo: Co-chairs of the UN High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth - Copyright Laurent Cipriani

PSI gave evidence to the UN High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth in Lyon, France on 23 March. PSI argued that public spending on public health was both a government obligation to ensure universal access to health care and an investment in economic growth.

"Public services welcome migrants" seminar is underway in Brussels

14 March 2016
Photo: Sonia Sanchez

Over 50 trade unionists representing 15 countries from Europe and Africa have come together for 2.5 days to strengthen cooperation and enhance the role of public service trade unions in dealing with migration and refugee flows.

PSI at the UN DESA 14th Coordination Meeting on International Migration

03 March 2016
Geneviève Gencianos, PSI Migration Programme Coordinator, at the 14th Coordination Meeting on International Migration

Public Services International (PSI) participated in the 14th Coordination Meeting on International Migration, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) at the United Nations in New York, 25-26 February 2016.

PSI releases report on "The Syrian Refugee Crisis and its Effect on Public Services in Turkey"

08 February 2016
PSI's report release in Ankara
The study launched in Ankara on the 6th of February at the SES office - one out of the 11 PSI affiliates in the country - focuses on the access to health services by Syrian refugees.

Migrants, Refugees and Climate Change: the Trade Union Response

07 December 2015

At a time when racism is growing and negative narratives are growing against refugees and migrants fleeing poverty and oil wars, this 2-hours workshop at the Climate Generation Areas of Paris COP 21 organised by PSI affiliate the Public and Commercial Services Union (UK), combined a panel discussion and a debate with the audience.

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 addresses the United Nations Committee on Migrant Workers

15 April 2014

On 7 April 2014, Public Services International General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli addressed the Treaty Body of the United Nations’ International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, during the Day of General Discussion on the theme of “Workplace Exploitation and Workplace Protection.” The event was held during the 20th Session of the UN Committee on Migrant Workers (Treaty Body) in Geneva and on the occasion of the 10th year of the entry into force of the UN Convention.

Racism? Not for us!

22 March 2014

Speak out and take a stand against racism and xenophobia! On the eve of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2014, Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of the global union federation Public Services International affirms that “our commitment to fight racism and all forms of discrimination is guided by respect for human rights and basic union principles: social justice, equality, collective action and collective responsibility”.

December 18 - International Migrants Day

16 December 2013

Public Services International joins the international community in commemorating the millions of migrant workers and their families all over the world and re-affirming our commitment to uphold their dignity and human rights.

“International migration today is primarily about the search for decent work,” says Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of Public Services International. “Workers are forced to leave their country of birth in search for jobs and to escape from poverty. Many have lost their lives crossing borders or have fallen prey to unscrupulous recruiters. Many of them end up in precarious working and living conditions and are deprived of access to essential public services, such as health, education and social services."

Social protection is a human right

12 December 2013
Participants to Public Service Trade Union Action Planning Meeting on Social Protection for Migrant Workers

Social security systems are invaluable mechanisms to provide income security, reduce poverty and inequality and promote social inclusion and dignity. The territoriality nature of social security systems, designed within national boundaries and the various requirements associated with entitlements, e.g. nationality and minimum qualifying period of contributions, create particular hurdles for migrant workers seeking to avail of their rights. Weak coordination between national systems poses a challenge, as workers move across borders and enter into different national systems.

Report: PSI at the ILO Tripartite Technical Meeting on Labour Migration

25 November 2013

Public Services International representatives joined the Workers’ Group during the Tripartite Technical Meeting on Labour Migration organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva on 4-8 November.

Public services and decent work for all

07 October 2013
ITUC Poster for WDDW

On 7 October we celebrate the World Day for Decent Work. Public Services International (PSI) joins the international trade union movement in demanding decent work for all and an end to the continuous attacks on trade union rights around the world. We want jobs that provide decent salaries and social security with safe working conditions.

Support our Action! Sign the Letter!

05 October 2013
Global Unions

Open Letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon concerning Trade Union and Civil Society Inclusion at the High-level Dialogue on Migration and Development New York, October 3-4, 2013

Tragedy of Lampedusa underscores PSI migration demands

04 October 2013
Refugees on a boad

Public Services International delegates at United Nations High Level Dialogue meetings in New York are marking the “Day of Mourning” for the African migrants who’ve drowned or are still missing, after a boat capsized off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa on 03 October 2013. A day of national mourning is being observed across Italy today (04 October).

At least 114 men, women and children have died and at least 200 more are still unaccounted for following this accident. None were wearing lifejackets. Migrants who arrive on the Italian island of Lampedusa, which is just 11 kilometres from Tunisia, are processed in centres, screened for asylum and often sent back home.

People, power, communities

03 October 2013
PSI Migration Activists marched with hundreds of trade unions and civil society activists across New York’s Brooklyn Bridge

People, Power, Communities: PSI migration activists marched with hundreds of trade unions and civil society activists across New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, forging solidarity between labour and communities in defence of migrants’ rights.