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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.

Union strategies to bring public services back in-house

04 December 2018

PSI Global Labour Remunicipalisation workshop is taking place at the ILO in Geneva from 4-5 December. Trade union affiliates from around the world are showcasing local experiences of remunicipalisation and giving union strategies to bring public services back in-house.

Global wage growth lowest since 2008

30 November 2018

Global wage growth in 2017 fell to its lowest rate since 2008, far below levels before the global financial crisis, according to a new International Labour Organization (ILO) report. The gender pay gap, at about 20 per cent globally, remains unacceptably high.

PSI Global Labour Remunicipalisation Workshop (Geneva)

30 November 2018

This workshop on “Building union strategies to bring public services back in-house” is open to PSI trade union representatives with a direct experience of remunicipalising public services and/or with an interest in peer learning about these processes with a view to engage and drive remunicipalisation processes in the future.

PSI video: Public education for all

29 November 2018

#SolidarityWithRefugees  PSI is launching the second video, of a series of three, on building quality public services for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This second video focuses on quality public education for all.

Women are most likely to be affected by violence in the workplace, but we are all victims

27 November 2018

In an op-ed published around the world, PSI Gender Equality Officer, Verónica Montúfar, writes about how sexual harassment and assault are part of most women’s professional lives. Even though men can also suffer violence and harassment in the workplace, stereotyping and inequality in power relationships make women much more vulnerable to it.

PSI lobbies for the rights of public sector unions and workers in Liberia

26 November 2018

On 26 November, PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli, with the leadership of Kommunal, meet the Chairman of the Health Committee in the Parliament, Hon. Joseph Nyah Somwarbi, at the House of Parliament of Liberia, to lobby for the rights of public sector unions and workers such as the National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) to be recognized formally and legally and to be allowed to unionize in line with ILO Conventions.

STOP Gender-based violence at work!

25 November 2018

Join the campaign to convince governments to support an ILO Convention and Recommendation on “Ending violence and harassment in the world of work”. An ILO Convention and Recommendation will send a strong message that violence is NOT part of the job. The standard and guidelines will also strengthen workers’ voices as they stand up against gender-based violence, and negotiate collective agreements that address GBV. #StopGBVatWork

A Financial Transactions Tax for the future we want

09 July 2012
Robin Hood Tax logo

Rio de Janeiro – 22 June 2012:

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, known as RIO+20, has taken place at a critical moment. The G20, meeting almost simultaneously, has not shown enough collective will by the world’s major economies to resolve the economic and financial turmoil we face. Member states of the European Union are facing a crucial test of their leadership in overcoming the financial and debt crisis. They are being called to choose whether or not to adopt a FTT for human and sustainable development. A positive answer could lead to a fairer and more sustainable future for the EU and contribute to sustainable human development worldwide.

Send your protest against arrests in Turkey

02 July 2012
Image of riot police

The harassment and intimidation of trade unionists in Turkey continues: in the early morning hours on June 25, the Turkish police raided offices and houses of trade unionists in Turkey. 71 were detained, and eight of these are still under arrest, including the President of PSI-affiliated KESK, Lami Özgen.

Algeria: judicial workers on hunger strike

06 June 2012

In protest against repeated human and trade union rights violations, nine union members, five women and four men, began an unlimited hunger strike on 6 May in Algiers, Algeria. Despite urgent requests for meetings, and daily reports on the hunger strikers' rapidly deteriorating health, the government continues to refuse to address the judicial workers’ issues.
PSI has already written to President Bouteflika and is now calling on its affiliates to take similar solidarity action, urging the Algerian government to start negotiations and to open the social dialogue that could resolve the ongoing crisis.

Some signs of change in Botswana - but yet to see the results

17 April 2012
Trade unionists in Botswana

Earlier this year the government of Botswana categorically stated that there will be no collective bargaining for the period 2012/2013 for financial reasons. Now the government has withdrawn the letter.

Implementing the Right to Water in the green economy

21 March 2012
Demonstration at the alternative water forum

Water Justice activists, including PSI unions, have successfully pushed the human right to water and sanitation (RTW) onto the global agenda. The UN General Assembly Resolution 64/292 of 2010 has set the standard for government obligations in ensuring universal access. Many national campaigns insist that governments adopt RTW and implement universal access to water and sanitation. Unions are working with a broad range of allies at global, regional, national and local levels.

Apply a financial transaction tax to heal global inequities

12 October 2011

Public Services International affiliate healthcare members from Europe and elsewhere are invited to join the delegation for a special event now scheduled for 3 November at the G20 Summit in Cannes, France. This action to promote a financial transaction tax to world leaders is led by PSI, our affiliate National Nurses United, the International Trade Union Confederation and civil society partners.

Policy brief EB-148 : Migration

06 October 2016

This policy brief on Migration was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to provide EB-148 with an overview of the current global humanitarian crisis. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities related to MNEs since PSI Steering Committee SC-19 that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in November 2015. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Anti-Corruption

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Anti-Corruption was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of recent activities on anti-corruption and to inform EB-148 of proposed action on the protection of whistleblowers for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Trade

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Trade was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in trade since EB-147, that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in May 2015, and to inform EB-148 of proposed action in trade for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Tax Justice

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Tax Justice was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in tax since EB-147, that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in May 2015, and to inform EB-148 of proposed action in tax for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : International Financial Institutions (IFIs)

04 October 2016

This policy brief on International Financial Institutions (IFIs) was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of progress in IFI work. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Young Workers

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Young Workers was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of PSI activities on young workers’ issues. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Gender Equality, Combating Racism and Xenophobia, and LGBTI Workers

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Gender Equality, Combating Racism and Xenophobia, and LGBTI Workers was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in gender equality and LGBTI issues since EB-147, that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in May 2015, and to inform EB-148 of proposed actions for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Trade Union Rights

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Trade Union Rights was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is for EB-148 to note activities in the area of trade union rights. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Educational Support and Cultural Workers Network (ESCW)

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Educational Support and Cultural Workers Network (ESCW) was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of work in the Educational Support and Cultural Workers Network (ESCW) sector. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Health and Social Services

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Health and Social Services was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in the Health and Social Services sector since the PSI Steering Committee SC-19 that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in November 2015 and inform EB-148 of activities planned for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Utilities

04 October 2016

This policy brief on utilities was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in the utilities sector since the PSI Steering Committee SC-19 that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in November 2015 and inform EB-148 of activities planned for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Local and Regional Government

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Local and Regional Government (LRG) was produced for the PSI Executive Board 148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in the local and regional government sector since EB-147 that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in May 2015. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Tax Justice : Nigeria Report

23 September 2016

This detailed research paper by Jane Lethbridge from Public Services International Research Institute outlines the current issues surrounding tax evasion, avoidance and illicit financial flows in Nigeria and outlines some potential solutions.

Final report of the expert group to the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth

21 September 2016

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, established the High-Level Commission on
Health Employment and Economic Growth (ComHEEG) in March 2016. Its task is to propose intersectoral
actions to guide and stimulate the creation of health and social sector jobs to advance inclusive
economic growth.
In support of the Commission’s work, an Expert Group was convened to critically review the
available evidence.

Informal Interactive Multi-stakeholder Hearing (preparatory process for UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants)

13 July 2016
Photo: Ben White/ CAFOD - Creative Commons

PSI will be attending the informal interactive multi-stakeholder hearing on 18 July 2016 as part of the lead-up to the UN high-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants to be held on 19 September 2016.

UNCTAD 14

11 July 2016
UNCTAD14

The United Nations Committee on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) over many years has provided one of the less neo-liberal forums on trade and development in the UN system. PSI in the past has supported its work and will send a delegation to UNCTAD 14 which is taking place in Nairobi on 17-22 July this year.

ILO Tripartite Technical Meeting on Access of Refugees to the Labour Market

01 July 2016

PSI will be participating in the ILO tripartite technical meeting on the access of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons to the labour market that will be held at the ILO in Geneva from 5-7 July 2016. This meeting comes at a time when the international community is facing an escalation of forced human displacement worldwide.

Forum: No Gender Justice without Tax Justice

15 June 2016

PSI and FES are organising a tax and gender forum in London, 30 June - 1 July 2016 on the theme of “No gender justice without tax justice”.

Tax Justice Forum: How to spread that wealth around

01 June 2016

At a time when inequality is rising and public services are being cut, the Panama Papers have shone a new light on corporate accountability. We are looking for new ways to fund development - tax policy has never been more relevant.

Route of Shame 2016: Walk for social justice!

25 May 2016

PSI and global trade unionists walked for social justice in Geneva. Around the world, populist politicians are raising the flag of racism and xenophobia to hide the fact that they represent the interests of the few, not the many. PSI calls for global solidarity with refugees and the respect of their human rights.

Freedom at Work Conference

24 May 2016

The Freedom at Work Conference, organized in parallel with Europride 2016 in Amsterdam, will take place on 4-5 August 2016. This world conference is to activate trade union members, staff and officials and (potential) allies for the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenders and intersex (LGBTI) workers.

UNCSW60: Commission on the Status of Women

13 March 2016
Photo: CTF - FCE/Flickr

The sixtieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 14 to 24 March 2016.

IAMREC 2016 (Puerto Rico)

09 March 2016

On March 29th, 30th and 31st, the IAMREC 2016 was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. See here all the information and documents related to the meeting.

2016 Caribbean SUBRAC meeting

15 February 2016

The Caribbean Sub-regional Advisory Committee (SUBRAC) meets annually. The SUBRAC is a PSI advisory body comprising representatives from affiliates who “facilitate the consultation process at sub-regional level on policy issues and work programme implementation, and who participate in exchange and dialogue on issues relevant to PSI affiliates.”

2016 Caribbean SUBWOC meeting

15 February 2016
2015 SUBWOC

The Sub-regional Women’s Advisory Committee (SUBWOC) meets on the day preceding the Sub-regional Advisory Committee (SUBRAC) meeting and comprises the women representatives attending that meeting. The chair is Sis Jillian Bartlett, the Caribbean Women’s Titular. The SUBWOC meets annually. In accordance with PSI’s constitution, the number of representatives attending the SUBWOC meeting must be at least 50% of the number of representatives attending the SUBRAC meeting.

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.

Climate Change: COP21

02 December 2015

The biggest climate conference ever has opened in Paris under extremely tight security. The terror attacks of 13 November caused the French government to cancel the massive people’s demonstration on 29 November and have significantly altered the focus of the climate conference, as security issues permeate.

Trade Union Forum on Climate and Jobs

30 November 2015

Trade unions will be present in Paris and will be engaging between them and with allies on their experiences on climate change around the world. Join us in our forum!

Protecting the public interest from predatory privatization and outsourcing

27 November 2015
AFSCME

For two days union leaders and policy leaders from the World Bank, the IMF and the U.S. Government led by Treasury, will discuss the global push for privatization, linking unions' national campaigns to regional and global dynamics.

Audio: A RadioLabour interview with Rosa Pavanelli on World Public Services Day

23 June 2014

Monday June 23: World Public Services Day. All around the world governments are attacking public services and the workers who help supply them. As well, a number of international trade agreements are jeopardizing the right of governments to provide public services instead of corporations.

Video: Nigerian public services union demands right to health in new constitution

03 June 2014

Watch this interview with Ayuba Wabba, President of the PSI-affiliated Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN). Brother Wabba has been selected to join a constitutional review committee considering health-related rights for the drafting of Nigeria's new constitution.

Video: Liberian Government denies compensation to health workers who die from Ebola while saving lives

03 June 2014

Watch an interview with Paul Tilame of the PSI-affiliated National Private Sector Health Workers Union of Liberia (NPSHWU) talking about the protests at the health ministers summit in Monrovia in April and the deaths of the health workers from Ebola.

Photos: Tax Justice & Anti-Corruption Forum, Argentina, April 2014

23 May 2014
More than 100 members of affiliate unions of Public Services International (PSI) came together from across the Americas for a Tax Justice and Anti-Corruption Forum in Buenos Aires, Argentina in late April 2014.
Source: Flickr

More than 100 members of affiliate unions of Public Services International (PSI) came together from across the Americas for a Tax Justice and Anti-Corruption Forum in Buenos Aires, Argentina in late April 2014.

Video: Abu Kuntolo - AFRECON

13 May 2014

Abu Kuntolo is the General Secretary of the Health Services Workers' Union, Ghana

Video: Donald Gyimah - AFRECON

13 May 2014

Donald Gyimah is the PSI Youth titular representative for East and West Africa. He is a member of the Public Utilities Workers' Union in Ghana.

Video: Ernst Pienaar - AFRECON

13 May 2014

Ernst Pienaar is PSI Executive Board second substitute for Southern Africa. He is a member of NAPWU, Namibia.

Video: Michael Adumatta Nyantakyi - AFRECON

13 May 2014

Michael Adumatta Nyantakyi is Deputy General Secretary of PSI affiliate PUWU in Ghana.

Video: Gades Andumba - AFRECON

13 May 2014

Gades Andumba is a member of PSI affiliate NAPWU in Namibia.

Video: Naomi Otoo - AFRECON

13 May 2014

Naomi Otoo in PSI Women's Committee titular member for East and West Africa. She is a member of the Public Utilities Workers' Union in Ghana.

Video: Peters Adeyemi - welcome to AFRECON

13 May 2014

Peters Adeyemi is PSI Vice-President for Africa and Arab countries. He is General Secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions, Nigeria.

Video: Tom Odege - welcome to AFRECON

13 May 2014

Tom Odege is General Secretary of the Union of Kenya Civil Servants.

Photos: Anti-TISA demonstration in Geneva

06 May 2014
On 28 April 2014, Public Services International, together with Swiss trade unions and civil society organisations, held a demonstration in front of the Australian mission in Geneva. The Australian mission was the venue of the secret negotiations for the TISA (Trade in Services Agreement) which governments are pushing and which will make it easier for big multinational companies to take over vital public services, such as health care and education, which you and your family rely on. For more information see our website: www.world-psi.org/TISA. #StopTISA
Source: Flickr

On 28 April 2014, Public Services International, together with Swiss trade unions and civil society organisations, held a demonstration in front of the Australian mission in Geneva. The Australian mission was the venue of the secret negotiations for the TISA (Trade in Services Agreement) which governments are pushing and which will make it easier for big multinational companies to take over vital public services, such as health care and education, which you and your family rely on. For more information: see our web pages

Audio: RadioLabour report on global day of action TISA

06 May 2014

A report by C. Marie Ainsborough, Senior Labour Reporter with Radio Labour, reports on the preparations for the global day of action on 28th April in protest of the TISA negotiations. See our web page for more information.

Video: Hands off our medecines

09 April 2014

Watch what Medicine Sans Frontier has to say about the TPP