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Privatisation

Quality public services are the foundation of democratic societies and successful economies. They ensure that everyone has equal access to vital services, including as health care, education, electricity, clean water and sanitation. When these services are privatised, maximizing corporate profits replaces the public interest as the driving force. Privatisation is a dangerous trend that must be reversed.

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.

Water is a human right, and not just in Detroit

29 July 2014

The heat is on in Detroit, where the public water utility is cutting off water supply for non-payers. This new policy of water shutoffs, leaving thousands of families without access to running water, has sparked a mobilisation with global implications.

Hands off public disability services! say NSW health staff

18 July 2014

The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, a PSI affiliate in Australia, has been campaigning since December 2013 against the O'Farrell government's decision to privatise disability care services. On 17 July, the union published a petition which asks that the state Government retains a role in the provision of services in the ageing, disability and home care sectors and protects staff.

How will Jakarta water change under new presidency?

14 July 2014

A recent Asia Times article studies how the control of Jakarta water may change if Jakarta governor and presidential hopeful Joko Widodo wins the July 9 polls.

Water remunicipalisation tracker website renewed and relaunched

11 July 2014

Remunicipalisation, or the taking back under public management of previously privatised public services, is a growing trend. Together with our allies, PSI is supporting information gathering and exchange, in order to assist campaigns and decision-making.

Paris public water success damaging to private companies

11 July 2014

Private water companies Veolia and Suez, who controlled the Paris water supply from 1985 until its remunicipalisation in 2008, say "The Paris remunicipalisation decision has done a lot of damage to our profession." More and more cities are choosing to bring water back into public hands.

Video: The fightback against austerity

07 July 2014

Public Services International (PSI), the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), together with our affiliate unions, ADEDY, and allies in Greece brought together a team of expert union journalists and communicators. This solidarity exchange enabled PSI communicators from other countries to learn more about the issues facing Greek trade unionists and share this understanding with their union members and communities around the world.

Korea: Health unions strike and rally against health privatisation

27 June 2014
PSI Women's Committee hold banners in solidarity with Korean health workers

Korea health unions KHMU and KPTU-HealthSol held a strike from 24-30 June, and protest rallies on 27 and 28 June after the Korean government's announcement to allow for deregulation and privatisation of the health services in the country.

Germany: private motorways cost more

18 June 2014
A German motorway

German newspaper "Handelsblatt" and magazine "Der Spiegel" report that according to the German Federal Control and Auditing Institution ‘Bundesrechnungshof’, motorway construction financed by public-private partnerships (PPPs) is significantly more expensive than public projects.

Resist privatisation of water in Thessaloniki

19 May 2014
No to water privatisation

On 18 May 2014, the citizens of Thessaloniki held a self-organised referendum on the privatisation of their water company. The proposal was massively rejected, over 98% of votes were cast against the privatisation of water and sanitation in the Greek city of Thessaloniki. PSI is asking Greek citizens living in other countries to send a message to their embassies or consulates urging the Greek national government to respect the outcome of this non-binding referendum.

Montpellier adopts a public water governance

14 May 2014

Water is a public good! It is essential for life. With these words the mayor of Montpellier, Mr. M. Saurel, announced that the Montpellier municipality would take back control over its water supply.

Hospital privatisations a disaster for public health

16 April 2014

Two hospitals in Africa have recently been built by private companies at a cost largely exceeding that of a public hospital. And the majority of the population will not even be able to use them.

10th FIQ Congress

11 April 2014
Mark Langevin at FIQ Congress

The FIQ (Fédération Interprofessionelle de la santé du Québec) held its 10th Congress from 7 to 10th April 2014 in Quebec city. 700 delegates from all over Quebec participated.

Korea health workers’ union anti-privatisation campaign

03 April 2014

On 26 March PSI affiliate Korea Health and Medical Workers’ Union (KHMU) held its second central bargaining meeting and demanded employers to join the national campaign against the privatization of the healthcare system. During the negotiations which included representatives of both the employers and the union, KHMU presented its demands.

Peru: Public service unions and communities mobilise to resist water privatisation

25 March 2014

In late March 2014, Rosa Pavanelli, the leader of Public Services International (PSI) joined members of Peruvian affiliate FENTAP on the frontline of their fight to keep public water services.