We've moved to a new site!

Join us at publicservices.international - for all the latest news, resources and struggles from around the world.

We are no longer updating world-psi.org and it will be progressively phased out: all content will be migrated to the new site and old links will redirect eventually.

  1. Home
  2. Issues
  3. Migration and Refugees

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

Dominican Republic: Protests met with tear gas and guns

12 November 2012

Unionists protesting against a new tax reform in the Dominican Republic were met by police with tear gas and guns, and several were wounded.

Ghana: Launch of Migrant desk

09 November 2012
A group of people

Unemployment and poverty are on the rise in Ghana, and many health professionals are seeking "greener pastures" abroad. The new Migrant desk will give aspiring migrants the possibility to make informed decisions on whether it is really in their interest to migrate or not.

PSI Survey on Migration in the Health and Social Care Sectors

24 September 2012

Public Services International (PSI) is carrying out a global survey on international migration in the health and social care sectors.
The survey aims to collect data on the causes and impact of migration in the health and social care sectors. This will help the PSI and affiliated unions to address migration in health and social care sectors.

From public sector worker in Portugal to cleaner in Switzerland

21 September 2012

As protests against austerity measures spread in southern Europe, more and more people hit by the crisis are moving north in search of decent jobs. Ana, a 50-year-old Portuguese moved to Switzerland to work as a cleaner and caretaker.

Actions and events against austerity all over Europe

21 September 2012

Major protests against austerity measures are taking place in many European countries.We give you the list of upcoming events:

Global Unions Strategy Meeting on Labour Migration: Building Alternatives

17 September 2012
Rally

Invitation to the Global Unions Strategy Meeting on Labour Migration: Building Alternatives, 24 - 25 September 2012, Brussels

Photo gallery: Launch of Migrant Desk in Johannesburg, South Africa

12 September 2012
Launch of Migrants desk South Africa
Source: Flickr

The Migrant Desk will provide information, counselling, organizing, support services and networking for migrants, prospective migrants and returning migrants.

Unions launch ‘Migrant Desks’ in South Africa, Kenya and Ghana

11 September 2012

Affiliates of the global union federation Public Services International launched the Migrant Desk initiative as part of the PSI Migration and Health and Social Care Workers Programme in South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. The official launch was marked with a ceremony in South Africa in early September 2012.

Dutch unions ensure wages for Polish workers

28 August 2012

Several power companies are constructing new coal fired power stations in the Dutch port of Eemshaven. It is the biggest construction site in the Netherlands. One of the companies building is the German company RWE, that has contracted out some of the work to the Polish company Remak. Remak has sent over around 800 Polish workers, but they are not paid according to the collective agreement applicable for this work. They are receiving 9 euros an hour, instead of 11.50.

Denmark: Au pair spokeswoman must leave the country

07 August 2012
Young Woman

Jean Gocotano, spokeswoman for au pairs in Denmark, has a job for Danish union FOA at hand. But the immigration authorities asks her to leave the country before 23 august.

Tags: 
Domestic workers
Migration
Women
Young workers
Domestic Workers

Italy : 500,000 immigrants hit by the financial crisis

04 July 2012
Woman

In Italy the financial crisis has delivered a double blow to migrant workers. There are at least 500,000 job losses, but the immigrants have not only lost their jobs. They have also lost their right to live in the country.

Dominican Republic: 300,000 domestic workers to gain labour law protection

03 July 2012
Woman carrying a child

A new law will give 300,000 domestic workers in the Dominican Republic a better life. ”This will make a huge difference to the lives of both migrant and Dominican women working hard from dawn to dusk without any rights and protection,” says Sharan Burrow, general secretary of the ITUC.

Tags: 
Domestic workers
Health
Migration
Occupational Health & Safety
Trade union rights
Young workers
Domestic Workers

Migration Civil Society Days in Mauritius

06 June 2012
Wall and beach

The Civil Society Days of the annual Global Forum on Migration and Development will be held in Mauritius in November.

Global Unions campaign for migrant workers' rights

31 May 2012

During the 101st International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland from May 30 to June 15, Public Services International, Building and Wood Workers' International, Education International and the International Trade Union Confederation will highlight the important contributions of migrant workers through the “Without Us” poster that will be depicted in one of the public trams operated by the in Geneva public transport group.

18 December 2011 – International Day for Migrants’ Rights

18 December 2011
PSI activists and civil society organizations rally for Migrants’ Rights and Qua

Today, as we commemorate International Migrants Day, we amplify our call to defend decent work and quality public services for all, so that for every worker, migration will only become a choice, and not a dire necessity.