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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.

Stop the corporate abuse of women’s rights

16 October 2018

PSI calls on affiliates to sign the #Feminists4BindingTreaty statement asking UN Member States to stop corporate abuse. We need a #BindingTreaty that holds TNCs accountable for human rights abuses and that centres women’s rights.

Fiji nurse questions privatisation at World Bank’s Annual Meeting in Bali

15 October 2018

20,000 Government and global financial leaders met in Bali, Indonesia, as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund held their Annual Meeting on 12-14 October 2018.

13 October - International Day for Disaster Prevention

12 October 2018

On UN International Day for Disaster Prevention, PSI calls on UN to focus on public emergency workers and warns of increasing climate chaos.

PSI and UCLG ask for better labour statistics for local and regional government workers worldwide

12 October 2018

PSI and United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) have joined forces to improve labour data collection for their constituencies. On 15 October, they jointly called labour statisticians from around the world, gathered in Geneva for the 20th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS), to take steps towards filling this major gap.

Climate IPCC Report 2018 - PSI Reaction

11 October 2018

PSI welcomes the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on global warming released on 8 October 2018. 

Report exposes how PPPs across the world drain the public purse, and fail to deliver in the public interest

08 October 2018

Experts call for World Bank Group to end aggressive promotion of PPPs for public service provision. A new report exposing how public private partnerships across the globe have drained the public purse and failed to deliver in the public interest will be launched at the Annual Meetings of the World Bank in Bali next week.

Decent Work’s 10th anniversary – JUST DO IT!

06 October 2018

On 7 October 2018 we “celebrate” the 10th anniversary of the World Day for Decent Work (WDDW): 10 years that unions across the world have been fighting to place decent work at the centre of government policies, to bring back economic growth that puts people first – people over profit.

Health workers defiant after facing charges for helping civilians during Turkish army curfew in Cizre

29 September 2018

PSI attended the court hearing as an international solidarity observer for fourteen health worker who face years in prison over their attempts to provide medical assistance to civilians during a curfew imposed by Turkish armed forces in the Kurdish-majority city of Cizre.

Quality Revolution in Health Care; Fundamental for Achieving SDGs

27 September 2018

The report of the Lancet Global Health Commission on High Quality Health Systems in the SDG era (HQSS) shows quite clearly that the universal health coverage strategy is not sufficient to improve health in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Provision of good-quality health care is essential for the attainment of sustained improvement in health outcomes and the full realisation of the human right to health.

Demonstrating commitment and leadership on equal pay

26 September 2018

PSI is participating in an Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) Pledging Event. The main objective of the event is to build a consortium of committed partners to accelerate the pace in closing the gender pay gap and achieving equal pay, in line with target 8.5 of the SDGs.

Unions in Fiji ‘still being targeted’

26 September 2018

The Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) general secretary Rajeshwar Singh claims that the public sector unions are “still being targeted” to weaken the collective voice of their members. Speaking at its 75th anniversary in Suva on 22 September, Mr. Singh also claimed that they are “suppressed” on a daily basis.

Liberian nurses removed from the payroll system

25 September 2018

Many trained and qualified nurses in Liberia, most of whom are members of PSI affiliate NAHWUL, are on a continuous struggle to get their names on the nation’s payroll system, while others, whose names have been wrongly erased from the system, race against time to resolve the “ghost” status tagged to their names in the system.

Tunisian fisherman, arrested for saving migrants lives, freed in Italy

24 September 2018

PSI commends the judicial decision in Palermo, Italy, to free the six Tunisian Fishermen imprisoned since the beginning of September. The fishermen, described as ‘suspected smugglers’ by the EU Frontex agency, were detained after saving the lives of 14 migrants stranded on the mediterranean.

Not A Target: Public Services International (PSI) condemns the killing of Saifura, a health worker in Borno, Nigeria

19 September 2018

PSI condemns the killing by Boko Haram, in Borno state, Nigeria, of 25-year old Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, a registered midwife who worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

10 years on from the crisis, ICRICT calls for urgent regulatory action

14 September 2018

A decade on from the Global Financial Crisis and just blocks from Wall Street, the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation met in New York last week to highlight the urgent need for financial reform.

Ghana: Tax Justice and Public Sector Restructuring

06 September 2016

This background document was prepared for a Conference on Tax Justice held in Ghana as part of a two-year project (funded by FNV) with affiliate trade unions in Ghana, with the aim of promoting quality public services through a fair tax system under conditions of decent work.

PSI Speech delivered at ILO Tripartite Technical Meeting on refugees

05 July 2016
ILO TTM on refugees

PSI Migration Programme Coordinator, Genevieve Gencianos, delivered a speech on 5 July at the Opening Session of the ILO Tripartite Technical Meeting on the Access of Refugees and other Forcibly Displaced Persons to the Labour Market. The meeting is being held from 5-7 July in Geneva, Switzerland.

PSI International Young Worker's Conference for the commemoration of the 40 Years' Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising

28 June 2016

The International Young Workers’ Conference commemorating the 40 Year Anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising was held from the 15-18 June at the Reef Hotel in Johannesburg. The conference is part of the flagship activities of the “Strengthening the Role of Young Workers Public Sector Trade Unions in South Africa” project, sponsored by UNISON.

Overview of proposed privatization of Electricity Sector in Ghana

22 June 2016

This recent analysis by PSIRU shows the influence of the US government and its Millennium Challenge Corporation in the planned energy privatization in Ghana.

United Nations General Assembly High Level Summit on Large Flows of Migrants and Refugees

17 June 2016

On 19 September 2016, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a “High Level Summit on Large Flows of Migrants and Refugees” at the UN in New York. The summit will call for a Global Compact on responsibility-sharing for refugees, which includes a comprehensive response plan on refugees and the strengthening of the global governance of migration.

PSI World Women's Committee report to the Executive Board

30 May 2016
WOC

The PSI World Women´s Committee met on 18th May 2016, with the participation of 33 women (16 titulars and 17 observers) and the General Secretary. Discussion focused on how to shape PSI´s policy on gender equality for the 2017 Congress.

Route of Shame 2016: Campaign Materials

26 May 2016

Join PSI and global trade unionists in a walk for social justice! Download campaign materials here and find out more about the Route of Shame 2016.

Africa and Arab News

31 March 2016

This newsletter is produced by PSI's African regional office and covers news and events in the African and Arab countries.

Comments on Expert Group background note for the first meeting of the UN High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth

24 March 2016

PSI gave evidence to the United Nations High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth in Lyon, France on 23 March 2016. 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.

Logos for the World Water Day (WWD) 2016

19 March 2016

Logos for the World Water Day 2016 are available for download in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese in both JPG and PDF format.

Arab women & the right to peace

18 March 2016
Arab women

On 18 March, during the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, PSI & WILF/MADRE/AEDIDH/ITUC will organise a trade union parallel event on: Arab Women and the human rights to peace. It will provide an opportunity for trade union and social movement leaders from Arab countries to give their views on peace as a human right.

Development Cooperation

17 March 2016

PSI provided input to an assessment from the water justice network of development cooperation support for the implementation of human rights. Development partners, including the World Bank, have violated human rights, including with their conditionalities for private sector participation. We call for the suspension of grant and loan programs which implicitly or explicitly promote PPP schemes. The implementation of Sustainable Development Goal #6 on water and sanitation presents opportunities to improve the practices of development partners. We point to the examples of public-public partnerships (PUPs), which are gaining in popularity but have not received adequate support from development partners – in part, because PUPs are not-for-profit. We also call for more rigorous measures to ensure that all rights holders can participate in decision-making.

Report: Protecting the Public Interest from Predatory Privatization and Outsourcing

17 March 2016

A Public Services International Leadership Meeting held on 2-3 December 2015 in Washington, D.C. USA and hosted by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The objective of this PSI leadership meeting was to explore ways to work together to strengthen the fight against the global push for privatization, linking national campaigns to regional and global dynamics.

PSI Report: Gender equality and water

17 March 2016

PSI submitted case studies from India, Kenya, Argentina and Ecuador on the gender implications of the human right to water and sanitation for the UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. The studies touch on gender implications of legislation, public finance, participatory decision-making, and monitoring.

Posters: Hope has no borders

17 March 2016

Public services welcome migrants and refugees say PSI"s posters for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21st March.

International Summit Nursing and Ebola Virus

24 October 2014
International Summit Nursing and Ebola Virus

PSI will take part in the International Summit on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), organised by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) that represents 13 million nurses worldwide.

PSI Global Trade in Services forum

17 October 2014

PSI’s Global Trade in Services Forum, From GATS to TISA, held in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the Our World Is Not For Sale (OWINFS) network, is the first ever global conference to provide a critical perspective on the TISA.

It will bring together leading global experts, trade unions from the public and private sector, civil society and government representatives from around the world to share information about the TISA. They will discuss the threats posed to public services, democracy and workers, and plan action to oppose its harmful elements.

Power to the People: A Strategy Discussion on Advancing Social Ownership of Energy

11 September 2014

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, with representatives of PSI affiliates will be taking part in a strategic discussion on advancing social ownership of energy organised by the Trade Unions for Energy Democracy (TUED) on 20 September 2014 in New York. The TUED delegation will join in the People's Climate March on 21 September 2014.

Forum on decent work and quality public services

08 July 2014

This event will be held in Asuncion, Paraguay on 23 July 2014. It is a tripartite forum with Government, unions and PSI where the campaign will be presented and working groups on financing public services will be established.



PSI World Women’s Committee WOC-2014

23 June 2014

Please note that the documents for these meetings are available to members of the World Women's Committee only. To view them you will need to login with the username and password provided by PSI.

 

 

World Public Services Day 2014

22 June 2014

On the occasion of World Public Services Day, Public Services International and its affiliates are working together across borders to end tax havens, tax avoidance and corruption, and to bring in progressive tax systems that are properly resourced and enforced. Tax justice enables public spending for the common good, and provides the means for economic self-sufficiency for municipal, regional and national governments.

International Labour Conference 2014

28 May 2014

The Conference will be held in Geneva (Switzerland), at the Palais des Nations and ILO headquarters. Please note that Tuesday 27th May will be devoted to preparatory meetings requiring the attendance of the tripartite members of national delegations to the Conference.

ILC coordination meeting for PSI delegates

23 May 2014

Circular to all PSI affiliates:

English  -   Français  -   Español

Geneva: Protest rally against Trade In Services Agreement

22 April 2014

Monday 28 April, members of the Swiss trade unions, global unions and civil society will lead an international day of action to protest against the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA). In Geneva, the protest will take place before the Permanent Mission of Australia (Chemin des Fins 2, 1211 Geneva 19, Switzerland) , where negotiations are taking place in secret.

World Health Day

07 April 2014

World health worker week

01 April 2014

World Health Worker Week (7–11 April) aims to support, appreciate and raise awareness of the important role of health workers everywhere. The Second Annual World Health Worker Week is an opportunity to mobilize communities, partners and policy makers in support of health workers. It is a time to celebrate the amazing work that they do and raise awareness of the challenges that they face every day.

World Water Day

22 March 2014

Putting public in public services: Research, action and equity in the Global South

18 March 2014
Municiapl Serivces Project logo

The international conference Putting public in public services: Research, action and equity in the Global South, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 13-16 April 2014, will bring together progressive academics and NGOs who work closely with PSI and our affiliates on a range of public services.

Video: PSI Anti Corruption Forum ILC June 2013

17 June 2013

Public Services International hosted this forum as an official side event of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Participants discussed how corruption undermines public services and democracy. Corruption wastes public money by diverting it into the hands of corrupt politicians, businesses and their agents.

Photos: Public Finance Control and Anti-Corruption Strategies forum

14 June 2013

Ending corruption requires public and political organising to demand that political leaders represent public interests, not the interests of rich individuals and powerful companies, and to hold them accountable.

Video: The Route of Shame - Ride for Workers' Rights

14 June 2013

Led by members of the global union federation Public Services International (PSI), trade union leaders from around the world join in a ‘Route of Shame’ bicycle ride Wednesday 12 June and visit missions and embassies in Geneva, Switzerland to draw attention to countries which consistently violate workers’ rights.

Photos: The Route of Shame - Geneva

13 June 2013

Led by members of the global union federation Public Services International (PSI), trade union leaders from around the world join in a ‘Route of Shame’ bicycle ride Wednesday 12 June and visit missions and embassies in Geneva, Switzerland to draw attention to countries which consistently violate workers’ rights.

Webinar: to get ready for the 2013 ILC discussion on Green Jobs/Just Transition

23 May 2013

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Sustainlabour organized 3 Webinars (online seminars) to introduce the issue and the process to union delegates or union experts interested in doing advocacy work in the capitals prior to the next ILO International Labour Conference.

Photos: Global Trade Strategy Meeting (WSF - Tunis 2013)

16 April 2013

Public Services International had the strongest global union presence at the World Social Forum 26-30 March 2013 in Tunis, Tunisia. PSI hosted and co-sponsored numerous events on trade union rights, youth, water, women’s issues, tax justice, energy and climate change.

Photos: Empowerment of women (WSF, Tunis 2013)

15 April 2013

Public Services International had the strongest global union presence at the World Social Forum 26-30 March 2013 in Tunis, Tunisia. PSI hosted and co-sponsored numerous events on trade union rights, youth, water, women’s issues, tax justice, energy and climate change.

Photos: Youth employment workshop (WSF)

15 April 2013

Public Services International had the strongest global union presence at the World Social Forum 26-30 March 2013 in Tunis, Tunisia. PSI hosted and co-sponsored numerous events on trade union rights, youth, water, women’s issues, tax justice, energy and climate change.

Photos: International FTT Strategy meeting - Tunis WSF 2013

15 April 2013

PSI affiliate members from Tunisia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and the United States participated in the global financial transactions tax campaign strategy meeting hosted by PSI in Tunis on 26 March

Photos: World Social Forum, Tunis 2013

15 April 2013

Public Services International had the strongest global union presence at the World Social Forum 26-30 March 2013 in Tunis, Tunisia. PSI hosted and co-sponsored numerous events on trade union rights, youth, water, women’s issues, tax justice, energy and climate change.

Audio: Unions win major victory at UN conference about violence against women and girls

19 March 2013

RadioLabour produced a special report on the victory at the UN Status of Women Conference - a victory in no small part due to work by activists from the ITUC, UNI and PSI.

Putting Water Back into Public Hands - Remunicipalisation

18 March 2013

An inspiring video animation about how cities are reversing water privatisation to regain public control.

Video: End violence against women now!

28 February 2013

Message to PSI affiliates from Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of Public Services International, on International Women's Day, 8th March 2013