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Gender equality

“Women hold up half the sky – get used to it.” That message, painted on a sign at a demonstration, tells only half the story. In many ways, women do more than their share: caring for the next generation and elderly parents, household duties, and contributing economically. Women are more than equal in the responsibilities they assume. This must be matched with political, economic and social equality.

PSI statement on UNCSW62

18 April 2018

Union women from around the world attended the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW62), which took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 12-23 March 2018.

Tackling gender-based violence in the world of work – experiences in the health sector

16 April 2018

PSI is pleased to present the updated report entitled “Tackling Violence in the Health Sector - A Trade Union Response”, a consolidated research effort first released in 2016. The 2018 updated version of the study integrates the latest achievements of our affiliated unions in the health sector.

International Women's Day 2018: Actions from around the world

26 March 2018

On 8 March, PSI affiliated unions from around the world organised mobilisations, events and activities to celebrate International Women’s day 2018 calling for equal pay and wage justice for all. Here are some of the events that took place worldwide.

“Domestic work to be formalized in Ghana,” Labour Minister announces as world marks International Women’s Day 2018.

12 March 2018

People working in domestic establishments in Ghana will soon be recognized as formal workers. This new regulation is expected to come into force as soon as the Parliament of Ghana considers a bill to regularize the work of domestic workers.

Iceland becomes first country to legalise equal pay

09 March 2018

On 1 January 2018, Iceland fully enacted the world's first equal pay law. Equal pay policies are now mandatory for companies with 25 or more employees and those that cannot show that they provide equal pay will be subject to fines. With this new legislation, Iceland's government has committed to eradicate the gender pay gap by 2022. This is part of the PSI's campaign for International Women’s Day.

EQUAL PAY – WAGE JUSTICE

08 March 2018

On March 8, PSI stands with women around the world demanding an end to gender-based discrimination at work and calling for the transformation of the division of labour.

Gender-neutral job evaluation study in Chile

06 March 2018

The Government of Chile and PSI affiliate ANEF, with the technical support of the ILO, have carried out a gender-neutral job evaluation study in Chile that is being published in Spanish on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The key findings were presented during the 4th Global Forum: Business for Gender Equality - The Future of Work in the 2030 Agenda that was held on 27-28 February in Santiago de Chile.

EPSU Strategy regarding the EC’s Action Plan on the Gender Pay Gap

06 March 2018

The European Commission is adopting an Action Plan to tackle the gender pay gap in 2018-2019. In view of this, EPSU has proposed to put into place a series of actions that were adopted at the Women’s and Gender Equality Committee meeting that took place last November. Tackling the gender pay gap is one of EPSU’s priorities. This is part of PSI's online campaign for International Women's Day.

"Pay equity" project in Chad

05 March 2018

Since 2009, PSI and ST-Sweden have worked together to introduce equal pay for men and women workers in Chad through the project “Pay Equity”. Demba Karyom, from PSI Chadian affiliate FSPT, was interviewed in the context of this project. This is part of PSI's online campaign for International Women's Day.

Equal Pay and Closing the Gender Pay Gap

04 March 2018

This statement provides an overview of three key areas where PSI affiliate UNISON has been leading campaigns and collective bargaining to end gender pay discrimination and to win equal pay for its members. This is part of PSI's online campaign for International Women's Day.

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.

Ontario Pay Equity Results for CUPE Service Workers in Ontario Hospitals: A Study of Uneven Benefits

01 March 2018

In view of International Women’s Day on 8 March, PSI is reviving a debate about pay equity presented in the study entitled: “Ontario Pay Equity Results for CUPE Service Workers in Ontario Hospitals: A Study of Uneven Benefits” written by Jane Stinson, a Canadian political economist.

Global conference of the Platform for Collaboration on Tax: “Taxation and the Sustainable Development Goals”

15 February 2018
Photo: Chris Potter - Creative Commons

As part of its global campaign for tax justice, PSI is co-hosting a side-event on 16 February at the First Global Conference of the Platform for Collaboration on Tax. The side event will focus on The role of tax policy in reducing intersecting inequalities and achieving the SDGs.

Pakistan Labour Federation joins campaign to end violence at work

14 February 2018

PSI affiliate, the All Pakistan Labour Federation (APLF) held a gathering on 14 February on “STOP Gender-Based Violence at Work” as part of its work on gender equality in the Balochistan Province.

We the unions are vital forces for equal pay

05 February 2018

During the regional launch of EPIC, that took place in Panama on 29-31 January, the National President of ANEF, a PSI affiliate in Chile, celebrated the initiative that seeks to mobilize actors in Latin America and the Caribbean to reduce the pay gap between women and men.

Statements to the 8th Session of the General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals

20 February 2014

Public Services International participated in the United Nations Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, which had its eighth and final stock-taking and information-gathering session 3-7 February 2014 (OWG8), in New York.

Resolution 36: Migration and Discrimination

31 January 2014

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

Resolution 12: Educating and Mobilizing Workers and the Public in Support of Fair Tax Systems to Fund High-Quality Public Services

30 January 2014

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

Communiqué: Public Services International Steering Committee SC-17

25 November 2013
PSI Steering Committee and staff, November 2013

Angered by the continuing attacks on public services and the workers who provide these services, distressed by the rising inequality across the world and the failure of the current economic system to provide jobs, particularly for young people, the Steering Committee reiterated its commitments to the 2013-2017 Programme of Action “Social Justice through Quality Public Services” and endorsed priority actions for 2014.

Work-related violence and its integration into existing surveys

20 November 2013

Statistical measurement of violence at the workplace has been neglected, states a new ILO report presented at the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians, held in Geneva, 2-11 October 2013.

Posters: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

18 November 2013
PSI violence against women poster

PSI calls on all its affiliate members, men and women, to make a pledge to end violence against women and girls, at each of their workplaces around the globe. Use these posters available in eight languages

Gender pay gap in public services : an initial report

19 May 2013

Drawing on figures from both Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, and national statistics offices, it examines the position in 38 separate states. Starting with the gender pay gap in the economy as a whole the report, commissioned by EPSU from the Labour Research Department, looks at how it varies between countries; how it has moved over the last five years; and some of the factors that explain the variations.

Cuts in public sector pay and employment: the impact on women in the public sector

19 May 2013

Across Europe, governments have cut sector pay and jobs in the public sector in response to the financial crisis, which became evident in the autumn of 2008. Although the timing has varied – the Baltic states were among the first to reduce spending, while other countries like Spain and Portugal acted later – these cuts have damaged the living standards and future prospects of millions of public sector workers.

Working for the alternative: Implementing PSI's mandate in 2013 and beyond

19 March 2013

The 2012 PSI World Congress provided a framework for Public Services International's discussions and decisions. However, it is necessary to focus priorities. This document presents a detailed implementation plan for PSI's mandate in 2013 and beyond.

PSI Congress Resolutions

12 March 2013

Resolutions adopted at the 29th World Congress of Public Services International, held in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012. The resolutions are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Japanese and Russian.

Posters - International Women's Day 2013

28 February 2013
PSI poster for International Women's Day with slogan End Violence Against Women

Download PSI's International Women's Day 2013 posters (PDF).

No compromise on women’s rights Zero tolerance for violence against women and girls

19 February 2013

Together with other civil society partners, trade unions develop, implement and promote strategies aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls. This joint global union statement will be presented to the UNCSW57. For more information: http://unioncsw.world-psi.org

Resolution 35: Migration Project

30 November 2012

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

Resolution 3: Building a disaster-resilient society through the enhancement of public services

30 November 2012

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

Resolution 31: Against feminicide in Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW57)

04 March 2013

Union women from around the world are gathering in New York for the United Nations’ 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW57), starting on 4th March 2013. Focusing on the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, the trade union delegation to UNCSW57 will call on all member states to take all necessary measures to immediately and without further delay prevent and remedy violence against women and girls.

Rise now! End violence against women

23 November 2012

PSI women speak out to end “violence against women” at the PSI Women’s Caucus, Durban, South Africa on 25 November 2012 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

For more information: http://congress.world-psi.org/womens-caucus

PSI’s 29th World Congress in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012

22 November 2012

As part of its World Congress events, PSI is holding a series of pre-congress meetings on key issues.

International Women's Day 2012

08 March 2012
PSI Poster for International Women's Day 2012

On International Women’s Day, 8 March 2012, Public Services International recognises and applauds the work of women trade unionists, who are always at the very heart of our struggle for human and labour rights and equality.

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW)

03 March 2012
Picture of african woman washing dishes

Union women from around the world are gathering in New York for the United Nations’ 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW56), starting on 27th February 2012. Focusing on decent work for rural women, quality public services, social protection and human rights, the trade union delegation to UNCSW56 will call on governments to commit to concrete measures to ensure that women living and working in rural areas enjoy opportunities for economic, social and human development.

World Women’s Committee (WOC Nov 2011)

23 November 2011

Please note that the documents for this meeting are available to members of the Women's Committee only. To view them you will need to login with your username and password.

Veuillez noter que les documents pour cette réunion ne sont disponibles que pour les membres du Comité mondial des femmes. Pour les visualiser et les télécharger, veuillez vous connecter avec votre nom d’utilisateur et votre mot de passe.

World Women's Committee (WOC - May 2012)

30 January 2011

Please note that the documents for this meeting are available to members of the Women's Committee only. To view them you will need to login with your username and password.

Veuillez noter que les documents pour cette réunion ne sont disponibles que pour les membres du Comité mondial des femmes. Pour les visualiser et les télécharger, veuillez vous connecter avec votre nom d’utilisateur et votre mot de passe.