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Africa & Arab countries

Africa and Arab countries form one of the four regions in the PSI structure. Our 153 affiliated organisations in some 43 countries represent a membership of around 1.5 million people here. The regional secretariat is based in Lomé, Togo. Contact our regional offices.

Decent work for Community Health Workers in South Asia: A PSI Report

03 March 2018
A recent report by PSI shows the abysmal employment and working conditions of community-based health workers (CHW) in India, Nepal and Pakistan and calls for the recognition of caring for the health of women and children in the community as part of the formal work of the public health system. The report further highlights the importance of the struggle for equal wage for work of equal value in the struggle against neoliberal policies. This is part of PSI's online campaign for International Women's Day.

British Minister shames privatised water companies for tax avoidance

02 March 2018

Michael Gove, the Conservative Environment Secretary, launched a searing attack on water company bosses - accusing them of avoiding billions of pounds in tax, overpaying executives and failing to properly invest in infrastructure.

"When everything is a service, a Trade in Services Agreement affects everyone," says new IUF Report

26 February 2018

A new report release today by the The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) highlights the Global Union movement's mounting opposition to the TiSA trade deal.

International Civil Servants slam ICSC, prepare for global action

26 February 2018

Staff working at the United Nations and many of its agencies are planning a global day of action for Tuesday, 27th February, to protest the bad faith and intransparent nature of The International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), which is trying to implement severe cuts to take-home pay.

Thousands join US Working People’s Day of Action

26 February 2018
Working People's Day in New York

Thousands of union workers gathered all over the United States to chant, cheer and wave signs in a show of unity ahead of a Supreme Court hearing that could have a profound effect on organised labour.

Indian Nurses' Strike in Kerala nears 200 days as Hospital management refuses to budge

26 February 2018

More than 100 nurses have been been on a strike since 21 August for better working conditions at the K Velayudhan Memorial (KVM) Hospital, in the southern State of Kerala, India under the banner of the United Nurses Association (UNA).

Solidarity with American unions facing dangerous Janus vs AFSCME Supreme Court case

20 February 2018

We ask you to show solidarity with PSI’s affiliates in the United States of America, where another attack on the labour movement is imminent.

PSI Health Taskforce meeting affirms urgent need for Right to Health for all

16 February 2018

The Public Services International Health and Social Services Task Force (HSSTF) met on 15-16 February, at the International Labour Office in Geneva. In attendance were over 30 health and social sector union leaders from across the world. They shared experiences and ideas on work in the sector and campaigning for the Right to Health.

PSIs Contribution to the Zero Draft of the UN Global Compact on Refugees

16 February 2018

The New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants adopted by the 2016 United Nations High Level Summit on Migrants and Refugees mandates the development of a UN Global Compact on Refugees and a Global Compact on Migration. UN Member States are now discussing and negotiating on the texts of the Global Compacts. The Global Compacts will be adopted at the end of 2018.

Trade unions at World Urban Forum 9: “cities will not be inclusive until workers and labour rights are fully taken on board”

16 February 2018

On 11 February 2018, PSI together with BWI, Action Aid, WIEGO and the UCLG - brought the voices of trade unions, informal workers and local and regional governments in a roundtable at UN Habitat’s World Urban Forum 9, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The ILO offered concluding remarks.

Privatization Watch - 01/2018

16 February 2018

Latest issue of #PrivatizationWatch (01/2018) - The Global newsletter on privatization of public services around the world.

PSI admitted into Official Relations with WHO

16 February 2018

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established official relations with Public Services International (PSI). The decision was reached by the WHO Executive Board on 26 January, during its 142nd session.

PSI Health and Social Services Task Force meeting

14 February 2018

PSI affiliates in the health and services sectors join in Geneva for the first post-congress Taskforce meeting to discuss the implementation of the Program of Action

Jeremy Corbyn: People across the world are waking up to the fact that privatisation has failed

12 February 2018

The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, closed the Labour conference "Alternative Models of Ownership Conference" outlining how the Labour wants the community to take back control of the British economy and put it in the hands of the many, not the few. He also referred to the PSI report "Reclaiming Public Services" - how cities and citizens are turning back privatisation around the world.

Jakarta Closer to Regaining Public Control of Water

12 February 2018
Photo: Indah Budiarti

Jakarta vice-governor Sandiaga Uno met with an international delegation including PSI Deputy General Secretary David Boys, Satoko Kishimoto, researcher with the Transnational Institute and former deputy mayor of Paris and former head of Eau de Paris Anne Le Strat.

Resolution 11: Redress taxation systems to adequately fund public services

29 January 2014

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),
meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Congress Resolution 33: Education support workers

15 January 2014

RESOLUTION No. 33) EDUCATION SUPPORT WORKERS

Report from the Health & Social Services Sector Strategy Consultation

13 January 2014

The strategic consultation of 18-19 November 2013 was convened to review and renew the health and social services strategy for PSI, given that PSI affiliates had adopted a broad Programme of Action at Congress in 2012, including 4 resolutions on health, and, that after wide consultations early in 2013, had agreed a set of priorities in Working for the Alternative.

This report summarizes the conclusions of the consultation and highlights the action points for 2014 for PSI and PSI affiliates.

Presentation: Public Sector Pensions An Overview

08 January 2014

Presentation at the PSI/FES Forum on Pensions and Social Security by Hazel Bateman, Centre for Pensions and Superannuation Australian School of Business, UNSW.

Presentation: Strengthening Pension Safety Nets

08 January 2014

Presentation at the PSI/FES Forum on Pensions and Social Security by Dr. Mario “Mayong” J. Aguja, Trustee, Govt. Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippines Faculty, Mindanao State University.

Presentation: Social Security in India - Looking beyond Employment

08 January 2014

Presentation at the PSI/FES Forum on Pension and Social Security by Mr R. Srinivasan, General Secretary, Indian National Defense Workers' Federation.

Presentations: Ensuring Ethical Investment and Addressing IFIs Influences

08 January 2014

Presentation at the PSI/FES Forum on Pensions and Social Security by Dr. Mario “Mayong” J. Aguja, Trustee, Govt. Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippines Faculty, Mindanao State University.

United Nations issues brief: Energy

07 January 2014
light bulb photo by Olga Reznik

This document has been prepared for the United Nations' member states and their deliberations, for decision-making over the post-2015 agenda and for a specific Sustainable Development Goal on energy.

Organisations denounce Nestlé’s new human rights impact assessment

20 December 2013

Nestlé’s new human rights assessment, launched at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights last week, is full of holes say labour and civil society organizations, including the Blue Planet Project, FIVAS, Food & Water Watch, and Public Services International.

PSI Statement: December 18 - International Migrants Day

12 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.

Statement and Action plan: Public Service Trade Union Action Planning Meeting on Social Protection for Migrant Workers

12 December 2013

Social protection is a human right, covers everyone, and consists of the totality of human rights, i.e. right to decent work, right to health, right to education, social rights, and cultural rights. We must fight for this human right.

The political approach for a campaign against corruption by PSI and its affiliates

09 December 2013

The public often perceives corruption in public services above all as a phenomenon of individual public service employees taking bribes for delivering services or favours to individual citizens. Many citizens of the wealthy and more developed nations believe that corruption is particularly a problem of politicians in poor or developing countries. However, these are only some aspects of corruption, and focussing on them alone obscures the fundamental problem of corruption as a challenge for societies all around the world.

Public Services for the Public Good: PSI statement on the Trade In Services Agreement (TISA)

02 December 2013

Universal quality public services and decent work are goals of economic development, to which international trade is but a means. Trade treaty rules should not force privatisation, nor interfere with the restoration or expansion of public services, where experiments with private provision fail or are rejected by democratically-elected governments. Trade treaties must not close policy space or inhibit innovation in public service provision.

Global Unions Statement of Priorities for the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference

28 November 2013

In the wake of the on-going economic crisis brought on in no small measure by the same de-regulatory forces that champion trade liberalisation, there is a real opportunity for the global community to re-think existing trade rules and arrangements. World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) accords have adversely impacted farmers and workers and they have reduced policy and regulatory space needed to actively promote decent jobs and quality public services.

PSI Statement on the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference

27 November 2013

The results of decades of corporate-led globalisation are clear for the majority of the world. Unemployment continues to afflict millions and is especially acute for the world’s youth. Inequality is growing and quality public services and labour rights are being undermined. Liberalisation of and financial speculation in commodities markets has produced ruinous price fluctuations for food and shortages that create untold harm and avoidable loss of life. The global economic crisis caused by the reckless and unregulated actions of the private financial markets has created untold suffering for workers and is now being used as the reason to implement punitive and misguided austerity programmes.