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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

PSI Symposium on the German-Philippines Bilateral Agreement for Health Workers

15 July 2015

More than 60 representatives from trade unions, government agencies, employers, recruiters and civil society organizations came together in a symposium organized by PSI to discuss the German-Philippines Bilateral Labor Agreement (BLA) for health workers.

Migrant boat disasters in the Mediterranean: address the root causes, not patch-up solutions

22 April 2015
migrant refugees near Lampedusa, Italy

In yet another large-scale tragedy in the Mediterranean, on 19 April a boat carrying migrants trying to reach Europe capsized on the coast of Libya and south of the Italian island of Lampedusa. The United Nations has confirmed the death toll to be at least 800.

On Migrants Day, PSI reiterates its commitment to decent work and social protection for all

15 December 2014
Photo: Gustave Deghilage - Creative Commons

Public Services International (PSI) marks December 18th – International Migrants Day, with continued vigour and commitment to fight for decent work and social protection for migrant workers.

Young trade unionists share best practice on migration

24 September 2014
Youth participants at a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan

Around 40 participants attended a Pan-European Regional Council (PERC) Youth Committee Conference on Migration on 10-11 September. The meeting was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the invitation of the Azeri trade union confederation AHIK. Public Services International was represented by Cédric Dépollier, Young Workers’ Facilitator.

PSI delegation visits UCLG

08 September 2014
UCLG logo

PSI recently met with the senior staff of United Cities and Local Governments – UCLG – which is a global federation of cities and local governments. The aim of the meeting was to seek areas of common interest. This statement was jointly agreed.

PSI at the 7th Global Forum on Migration and Development

15 May 2014
Top table at the Common Space Panel session on Labour Migration

Human Rights and A New Agenda for A Sustainable Pro-people Development Are Critical in Building Partnerships for Decent Work and Social Protection for All Migrant Workers

Speech given by PSI General Secretary at the 7th Global Forum on Migration and Development

13 May 2014
Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary, addressing the Common Space Panel session at the GFMD

PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli addressed the delegates of the 7th Global Forum on Migration and Development on 14 May in the Common Space Panel session on Labour Migration. An estimated 900 delegates representing governments, civil society, international organizations and experts participated in the forum.

Speech delivered by Jillian Roque (PSLINK) at the GFMD

13 May 2014

Speech delivered by Jillian Roque, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK), Philippines, at the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) at one of the breakout sessions on Boosting migrants and diasporas’ contributions to job creation and development in countries of residence, origin and heritage.

Global unions: Labour migration is about the human rights of workers

13 May 2014
The trade union international delegation (PSI, AFT, AFL-CIO) during the PGA

Public Services International forms part of the trade union delegation participating at the Civil Society Days of the 2014 Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) which started on Monday 12 May at the Munchenbryggeriet conference centre in Stockholm, Sweden. The Global Unions will hold a Trade Union Forum “Speak-Out for Migrant Workers' Rights” on 15 May, the first-day of the official government meetings.

7th Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD)

12 May 2014

The GFMD Civil Society Days will take place on 12th-13th May 2014 at the Brewery Conference Centre, Stockholm. A shared session with governments, known as the Common Space, will be held in the same venue on the 14th of May. The GFMD Government Days will take place at the same location on 15th - 16th of May.

PSI addresses the United Nations Committee on Migrant Workers

15 April 2014

On 7 April 2014, Public Services International General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli addressed the Treaty Body of the United Nations’ International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, during the Day of General Discussion on the theme of “Workplace Exploitation and Workplace Protection.” The event was held during the 20th Session of the UN Committee on Migrant Workers (Treaty Body) in Geneva and on the occasion of the 10th year of the entry into force of the UN Convention.

Racism? Not for us!

22 March 2014

Speak out and take a stand against racism and xenophobia! On the eve of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2014, Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of the global union federation Public Services International affirms that “our commitment to fight racism and all forms of discrimination is guided by respect for human rights and basic union principles: social justice, equality, collective action and collective responsibility”.

The decision of the Dominican Republic Constitutional Court goes against human right principles!

07 January 2014

The PSI Regional Committee against Racism and Xenophobia, in its meeting held on 21 and 22 November 2013, in Bogotá, Colombia, expressed deep concern about the decision of the Dominican Republic Constitutional Court to take citizenship away from thousands of people who were born in the Dominican Republic. This unacceptable ruling threatens the very livelihoods of the individuals and families who are affected. In fact, it threatens the entire society.

December 18 - International Migrants Day

16 December 2013

Public Services International joins the international community in commemorating the millions of migrant workers and their families all over the world and re-affirming our commitment to uphold their dignity and human rights.

“International migration today is primarily about the search for decent work,” says Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of Public Services International. “Workers are forced to leave their country of birth in search for jobs and to escape from poverty. Many have lost their lives crossing borders or have fallen prey to unscrupulous recruiters. Many of them end up in precarious working and living conditions and are deprived of access to essential public services, such as health, education and social services."

Social protection is a human right

12 December 2013
Participants to Public Service Trade Union Action Planning Meeting on Social Protection for Migrant Workers

Social security systems are invaluable mechanisms to provide income security, reduce poverty and inequality and promote social inclusion and dignity. The territoriality nature of social security systems, designed within national boundaries and the various requirements associated with entitlements, e.g. nationality and minimum qualifying period of contributions, create particular hurdles for migrant workers seeking to avail of their rights. Weak coordination between national systems poses a challenge, as workers move across borders and enter into different national systems.