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Quality Public Services

In co-operation with other global federations of unions, PSI has launched the Quality Public Services – Action Now! campaign. This campaign unites public and private sector trade unions, municipal governments and civil society groups in advancing quality public services as the best means of building equitable, sustainable, peaceful and democratic societies. We believe investment in quality public services backed by fair taxation policies is a key solution to the economic crisis.

Work-related stress: what impact in the public services?

28 April 2016
Rosa Pavanelli

Today (28 April) is the "World Day for Safety and Health at Work". In the following interview with ACTRAV/ILO, the General Secretary of Public Services International (PSI), Rosa Pavanelli, explains how workers in the public services are affected by stress.

PSI affiliates in Brazil alert for the risks of regress after the possible overthrown of Dilma Rousseff

19 April 2016

Vice President Michel Temer has already pointed to business sectors that his government's agenda, if he ascends to the presidency, will be markedly neoliberal, with privatization, loss of labor rights and cuts in social programs.

Public ownership of the UK energy system – benefits, costs and processes

18 April 2016

A new report by Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) and the UK NGO We Own It, calls for a return to public ownership and management of key elements of the British energy system. The report builds on years of research that demonstrate the excess costs of privatization, the negative impact on energy workers and on UK households, and the distortions of UK energy policy.

Campaign against TPPA and TISA approved in PSI's regional meeting in Chile

13 April 2016

Representatives of unions affiliated to PSI agreed to make mobilization efforts, partnerships with civil society, lobbying parliaments and campaign material that allows raising public awareness through simple language to explain the negative impact of this type of treaty.

PSI holds its 20th AFREC in Nairobi

12 April 2016
PSI AFREC 2016

About 40 participants from 14 countries converged in the capital of Kenya from the 6th to the 8th of April to take part in the discussions brought up by the African Regional Executive Committee (AFREC).

Final Declaration of the seminar on Public Debt and the Puerto Rican situation

31 March 2016

The participants of the International Seminar “Public Debt, a global problem: international experiences
and Puerto Rico’s situation” held on March 30, 2016 in San Juan, capital city of Puerto Rico, expressed
their strong support and solidarity with the Puerto Rican people in their struggle to overcome the fiscal,
economic and social crisis they are facing.

Water sector workers meet in Buenos Aires to defend the human rights to water

25 March 2016

At the event organised by the CONTAGUAS and the SGBATOS, workers defended the human right to water and emphasised the importance of public services for guaranteeing this right. They launched a manifesto, which was also signed by the PSI.

In India, outstanding responses to nurses union call for mass casual leave

10 March 2016
All India Government Nurses Federation (AIGNF)/Facebook

On the 26th of February, more than 12,000 nurses under the banner of the All India Government Nurses Federation (AIGNF) were off-duty to protest against “retrograde recommendations” of the 7th Central Pay Commission. In case the government remains deaf to their demands, an indefinite strike will start from the 15th of March on.

"The commercial exploitation of public services accentuates the exclusion and marginalisation of women"

10 March 2016
Verónica Montúfar/Photo: Leo Hyde

This is the conclusion reached by Verónica Montúfar, PSI World Gender and Equity Coordinator. "Where there are no health services, women act as nurses. Where there are no schools, women provide an education for their children. In the absence of public services, women provide them."

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?

Trade unions and social organizations say 'Chile better without TPPA'

10 February 2016
Members of different social organizations and unions protested on February 4 against the TPPA (Photo: Nayareth Quevedo)

Members from different social organizations and trade unions came out on February 4 to the streets to protest against the TPPA, signed at the same day in New Zealand by 12 countries, including Chile, Mexico, Peru, United States and Canada.

Global Supply Chains: International Labour Standards needed to implement Decent Work

18 December 2015

An international symposium on decent work in Global supply chains called for ratification and implementation of International labour standards, and strengthening of trade unions in Multinationals Enterprises.

The role of taxation in funding quality public services

21 July 2015
The role of taxation in funding quality public services

On 10 July, Public Services International came together with 15 organisations to organise a panel discussion on the Role of Taxation in Funding Quality Public Services.

Civil Society Statement on World Public Service Day 2015

24 June 2015

Civil Society associations in India, including PSI, have released this statement on the occasion of World Public Services Day 2015 under the heading 'Protect and Expand Quality Public Services to reduce inequality.'

Mission impossible: Development without Public Services

18 June 2015
Unemployed person talks to advisors at a job fair

Seven years after the 2008 financial crisis, it is clear that austerity does not work. On the contrary, cutting public spending has only produced more unemployment, poverty and inequality.

Posters - 1 May 2013

24 April 2013
PSI May Day poster for 2013

Download PSI's posters for 1st May 2013 (PDF) in two colours and four languages. These are high-resolution images (3 MB)

Working for the alternative: Implementing PSI's mandate in 2013 and beyond

19 March 2013

The 2012 PSI World Congress provided a framework for Public Services International's discussions and decisions. However, it is necessary to focus priorities. This document presents a detailed implementation plan for PSI's mandate in 2013 and beyond.

PSI Congress Resolutions

12 March 2013

Resolutions adopted at the 29th World Congress of Public Services International, held in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012. The resolutions are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Japanese and Russian.

Resolution 17: In defence of decent work and securing quality public service

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 35: Migration Project

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 14: The global fight-back against austerity

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 13: Taxation

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 23: An alternative crisis policy

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),
meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 21: On public services

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),
meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 3: Building a disaster-resilient society through the enhancement of public services

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 7: Universal access to healthcare

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),
meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 34: PSI Sector Networks

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),

Corruption and public services - Summary

26 November 2012

Corruption is a poison that destroys people’s faith in public institutions, governments, and democracy itself.

New handbook for green workplaces

11 October 2012

How do you take action to increase worker awareness on the environmental performance of their workplaces? A new and practical handbook gives you the answer.

Rio+20 Working for a sustainable world

16 July 2012

The general failure of the Rio +20 negotiations presents both threats and opportunities for public service unions. These will require local and national level responses, as well as coordination across regions and globally.