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Migration and Refugees

In many countries, skilled health and social care workers feel they must leave their families behind and work abroad to earn a decent income. They brave exploitation and discrimination. And their departure weakens health and social services in their home community. PSI works with unions worldwide to protect migrant workers and to improve the quality of health and social services. Read more

Hope has no borders – Public services welcome migrants and refugees

21 March 2016

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March, Public Services International (PSI) calls on all public service workers to stand united in their support for migrants and refugees by welcoming them and fighting against racism and xenophobia.

Stop building walls in Europe!

17 March 2016
PSI_EPSU delegation

Public Services International (PSI) and European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) reject EU and Turkish “one-in, one-out deal’’ on refugees.

"Public services welcome migrants" seminar is underway in Brussels

14 March 2016
Photo: Sonia Sanchez

Over 50 trade unionists representing 15 countries from Europe and Africa have come together for 2.5 days to strengthen cooperation and enhance the role of public service trade unions in dealing with migration and refugee flows.

Video: All migrants have the right to have economic and social rights

14 March 2016

Statement of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, addressing the PSI - EPSU - ETUI seminar “Public Services Welcoming Migrants: Strengthening the role of public service trade unions in the protection of human rights and delivery of public services to migrants, asylum seekers and refugees” in Brussels, Belgium on 15 March.

PSI at the UN DESA 14th Coordination Meeting on International Migration

03 March 2016
Geneviève Gencianos, PSI Migration Programme Coordinator, at the 14th Coordination Meeting on International Migration

Public Services International (PSI) participated in the 14th Coordination Meeting on International Migration, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) at the United Nations in New York, 25-26 February 2016.

On the 75th Anniversary of the February Strike - Yes to Asylum, Yes to Public Services

25 February 2016
Jasper Goss/Photo: Leo Hyde

In 2016, we should honour the February Strike, not just because those who took action were later tortured and even executed. Rather, we must ask ourselves, as trade unions, as members of the labour movement: what are we doing? Are we ready to take the risks necessary to confront the austerity-fueled resurgence of racism and national chauvinism across Europe and other parts of the world?

"Public services welcome migrants" seminar to be held in March

12 February 2016

On 14-16 March, PSI, EPSU and ETUI will be holding a seminar in Brussels, Belgium, on “Public Services Welcoming Migrants: Strengthening the Role of Public Service Trade Unions in the Protection of Human Rights and Delivery of Public Services to Migrants, Asylum Seekers and Refugees”.

PSI releases report on "The Syrian Refugee Crisis and its Effect on Public Services in Turkey"

08 February 2016
PSI's report release in Ankara
The study launched in Ankara on the 6th of February at the SES office - one out of the 11 PSI affiliates in the country - focuses on the access to health services by Syrian refugees.

PSI and EPSU condemn passage of ‘’refugee-stripping regulations” in Europe

29 January 2016
Refugees

Public Services International (PSI) and the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) condemn the recent passage of ever more stringent policies in European countries receiving refugees.

South Africa: National Symposium on Migration

18 December 2015
Group of participants at the symposium

PSI South Africa affiliates commemorate December 18 Migrants Day with a National Symposium on the theme of “Decent Work and Social Protection for Migrant Workers in the Public Services.”

18 December 2015: International migrants day

16 December 2015
Syrian refugees in Vienna

Public services welcome migrants and refugees, build resilience of communities

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.

EU Response to the Refugee Crisis Deeply Disappointing say PSI and EPSU

15 September 2015

"We express deep disappointment at the failure of the European Union to arrive at a humanitarian and durable solution to the refugee crisis in Europe."

Make Europe a safe haven for refugees now!

11 September 2015
Photo: Takver

At the occasion of the Extraordinary EU Justice and Interior affairs Council on 14 September, Public Services International, representing 20 million public service workers across the globe, and the European Public Service Unions, representing 8 million public service workers across Europe reiterate our call for European solidarity, dignity and coherence on the refugee crisis.

Decent work and social protection for migrant workers

15 July 2015
Migration pre-decision kits for Indian & Filipino health workers

PSI launched its pioneering migrant information kits in a public symposium held in Manila, the Philippines’ capital. The Philippines is a major source country of migrant workers, a huge number of whom are nurses, and health and care workers.