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Inter-America

In North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, 140 labor organizations in 35 countries are affiliated to PSI, with a total membership of about 3.3 million workers. The regional office is currently based in São Paulo, Brazil. Contact the regional offices.

Inspiring campaigning! #TaxJustice for Women's Rights Global Days of Action

27 March 2017

The final week of the #TaxJustice for Women's Rights Global Days of Action has been extremely busy. These have been truly global days of action, as you will see from the photos, events and actions from around the world.

"We stand for public funding of public quality water and sanitation services for realizing women's rights"

22 March 2017

Today, 22 March, World Water Day, PSI's General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli states the importance of tax-funded public water and sanitation for all, but especially for realizing women's rights. In an interview*, Pavanelli talks about the major challenges in achieving this goal.

Global Unions Statement: Support the inclusion and retention of the full and substantive role of the ILO in the UNCSW61 Agreed Conclusions

22 March 2017

Member states at the annual Sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) are currently negotiating ‘Agreed Conclusions’ on this year’s priority theme: ‘Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work’.

PSI joins "Initiative for Child Rights in the Global Compacts"

17 March 2017

Public Services International joins key civil society organizations working on migrant rights, refugee rights, experts and international organizations in uplifting the rights of the child into the Global Compact on Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees that will be adopted in 2018.

Costa Rica: Quality public healthcare system in danger

15 March 2017
Demonstration by BUSSCO in Costa Rica

Since the 1990s, neoliberal policies have claimed victims in the public services sector run by the Costa Rican state. The rise of the neoliberal globalization which is expanding with free trade, has involved big businesses aggressive pursuit of new sources of profit. This is the reason behind the waves of privatization of public services like water, education, health and others.

Safety Ratios: a trade union battle

15 March 2017
Régine Laurent, President of FIQ, Quebec

For the health care workers represented by the Fédération Interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), it is absolutely essential to work in the best conditions so as to provide safe, quality health care. As a health care workers’ union, the FIQ has therefore decided to work with its members to promote safe professional patient health care ratios in Québec.

Fresh attacks on the Right to Health in Brazil

15 March 2017
SAMU ambulances, Brazil

At a meeting of the Health Committee of the São Paulo Municipal Chamber held at the end of February, workers at the mobile emergency care service (SAMU) criticised the mayor, João Doria (PSDB), for his plan to transfer care to private “social organisations”.

Argentina: National health sector strike and "No to CUS"

15 March 2017

The "NO to CUS" coalition composed of the ATE, CTA, FESPROSA , the General Medicine Federation and other organisations met in Buenos Aires on 9 March, only 48 hours after the national health sector strike against the wage ceiling, and in support of a wage increase in line with inflation and unrestricted negotiations.

Women work mobility development & economic justice

10 March 2017

On 16 March at the 61st UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York the Women in Migration Network (WIMN) convenes a dialogue integrating strategies and feminist movements. This parallel event will be held at 10:30 am at the Church Center for the United Nations. PSI is co-sponsoring this event. Moradeke Abiodun - Badru, representing PSI affiliate The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), will be speaking on behalf of PSI.

Iranian student banned from returning to US despite renewed student visa

09 March 2017
Mehdi Zeyghami

Mehdi Zeyghami, a student in the United States since 2012, well knew that the procedures for obtaining a student visa could be difficult. However, he had no idea that the swearing in of a new US President would make a complicated procedure become practically impossible.

Water is Life. For some, water is profit. PSI says: PEOPLE OVER PROFIT!

09 March 2017
Flush out corporate tax dodgers

For more than 1,000 children every day, water is death. Waterborne diseases kill. It is estimated that half of all hospital beds are occupied by people suffering from waterborne diseases. These are preventable deaths.

Women around the world stand up for social justice. Enough is enough.

08 March 2017

On 8th March this year, we pledge our solidarity with the millions of women in grassroots movements and trade unions around the world in saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! No to racism, xenophobia, homophobia. We demand autonomy and control over our own bodies. Pay equity now! Rights without borders. No more gender-based violence in the workplace and quality public services for all! #IWD2017

Regional Executive Committee for Inter-Americas - IAMREC (Rio de Janeiro)

06 March 2017

The meeting of the Inter-American Regional Executive Committee (IAMREC) of PSI was held on 23 and 24 March, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The participants from across the region discussed many issues related to the political situation and to the organization.

Zero Discrimination Day: Make Some Noise – and ACT to Realise the Right to Health

01 March 2017

PSI and its affiliates in the health sector across the world joined in marking March 1, as global Zero Discrimination Day. The day has been set aside since 2014 to raise awareness on the need to roll back all forms of discrimination in access to health services, particularly for persons living with HIV.

Waste collection in Canada: When private goes public – community wins

28 February 2017
Conception Bay South garbage collection

Five years ago, the town of Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, was facing problems with its privatized solid waste collection. Complaints were on the rise, and costs were headed in the same direction. In 2011, the town council voted to bring the service in house, ending 30 years of contracting-out.