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Trade union rights news

All work has dignity, and all workers deserve to be treated with respect by their employers. Trade unions play a decisive role in improving working conditions, safety and wages – yet some governments and employers systematically abuse the right of workers to join existing unions or form new ones. PSI works actively to support the right of workers to free collective bargaining, and to help stop abuses when they occur.

PSI Africa & Arab countries Regional Conference - AFRECON 2019 (Lomé)

12 November 2019

A dedicated website for AFRECON 2019 will shortly be available.

Documents can be downloaded here for the moment:

PSI Asia Pacific Regional Conference - APRECON 2019 (Bali)

17 September 2019

Please check our dedicated website for APRECON 2019 for all documents, news and information.

Two thousand Tunisian municipal cleaners demand safe working conditions and statutory recognition for their profession

13 May 2019

Two thousand municipal workers from Tunisia’s waste management services gathered on April 28th, World Day for Safety and Health at Work, to demand safe and healthy working conditions, adequate personal protective equipment for all, and the recognition of their professional status at national level.

PSI Statement Following the Detention of Trade Unionists in Fiji Whilst ADB Watches On

05 May 2019

As the Asian Development Bank (ADB) annual meeting concludes in Nadi, Fiji, PSI expresses our outrage and dismay that the Government of Fiji marked the event, which coincided with May Day, with the arrest and detention of trade unionists, including the General Secretary of our affiliate, the Fiji Nursing Association, Salanieta Matiavi.

May Day 2019 - At 100 years old the ILO needs to refind its purpose

30 April 2019

On this May 1st, we call on the International Labour Organization (ILO) to stay true to its origins and values. To be relevant and justifiable, and to set the rules for the work of the future, we must ensure the ILO remains free from the interests of private capital.

Community Health Workers in Pakistan – a struggle for union registration

02 April 2019

The Community Health Workers programme in Pakistan, commonly known as Lady Health Workers, LHWs programme was started in 1994 with a staff of nearly 30,000 women. Over the years, the programme has expanded to more than 125,000 employees deployed in all districts of the country. They serve as the cadre that links first-level care facilities to communities.

Costa Rica: Government threat to the right to strike

24 March 2019
Rodrigo Loópez and María Esther Hernández Solís. Photo: AAron Sequeira

The National Association of Nursing Professionals (ANPE) in Chile is fighting new legislation which aims to abolish the right to strike. The action started when the union exposed that big business was receiving fiscal advantages while public services struggle. Now they are fighting against four bills removing the right to strike. Union officer María Esther Hernández Solís presents the union's position.

South Korean government responds to workers’ demands for justice for young worker Kim Yong-gyun

04 February 2019

The South Korean government has announced today a series of measures in response to the tragic death of 24-year-old power plant worker, killed in an industrial accident resulting from the “outsourcing of danger” and lack of safety measures at Taean Power Plant.

Guatemala: Union leaders imprisoned for having negotiated a collective agreement

30 January 2019

PSI is calling on all affiliates to join the LabourStart campaign in support of Dora Regina Ruano and Luis Alpirez Guzmán, Organizing Director and General Secretary of PSI's affiliate the National Union of Health Workers of Guatemala (SNTSG).

Solidarity with American unions facing dangerous Janus vs AFSCME Supreme Court case

20 February 2018

We ask you to show solidarity with PSI’s affiliates in the United States of America, where another attack on the labour movement is imminent.

Take Action: Call for the release of Han Sang Gyun

29 January 2018

PSI is calling on all affiliates to join the renewed joint ITUC and GUF international campaign calling for the release of Han Sang-gyun and the withdrawal of the charges against Lee Young-joo, respectively former President and General Secretary of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).

Send a letter of protest to President Moon and join the Day of Action on 9 February 2018.

Algeria: New government attack on independent energy union (update)

26 January 2018

The government of Algeria is escalating its war on the independent union of electricity and gas workers SNATEGS, which organizes workers at the state energy company SONELGAZ.
SNATEGS lives and fights, and needs your support. ActNOW! Join the LabourStart campaign, send a message of protest!

Public administration workers of the Spanish foreign service go on strike on 16 October: 9-year wage freeze must end now!

16 October 2017

For the last nine years, public administration employees working abroad for the Spanish state have suffered an unjust and arbitrary wage freeze. Precarious working conditions and, in many countries, rampant inflation and strong fluctuations of local currencies have further compounded the issue.

Colombia: trade union leader faces arbitrary sanction

21 September 2017

PSI is calling on all affiliates to join the LabourStart campaign in support of Carlos E. Castañeda Ravelo who is facing a new arbitrary sanction for exercising the right to freedom of association.

Trade Unions in Transformation

31 July 2018
Photo: Striking dressmakers take a break in diner, ca. 1955 by Kheel Center - CC BY 2.0

With “trade unions in transformation«, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) contributes to shifting the narrative about trade unions. Moving away from the standard depiction of unions as victims of globalization, this project highlights that unions do have agency and power. The stories of successful trade union action told in this brochure demonstrate how labour can and already does shape globalization.

PSI General Secretary’s speech at PSI JC’s 30th anniversary

09 July 2018

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, gave a speech at PSI Japan Council's (PSI-JC) 30th anniversary which took place in Tokyo on 22 June 2018. This was part of a three-day visit, invited by PSI-JC, the National Coordinating Committee of PSI affiliates in Japan.

Open letter from Rosa Pavanelli to the international trade union movement on the recent events involving the ILO Governing Body

28 March 2018

"The method and content of the actions of the Workers’ Group leadership is the latest episode revealing a structural lack of cooperation, solidarity and democracy among the global trade unions. We regret to say that with this action PSI has lost confidence and trust in the Workers’ Group leadership", says the PSI's General Secretary.

Decent work requires decent public policies

12 July 2017

Extract from the Civil Society Report "Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2017" -the new global report assesses how privatization and corporate capture have become obstacles to progress under the 2030 Agenda.

A passport to worker and union rights in South Africa

10 March 2017
A passport to worker and union rights in South Africa

The passport for worker and union rights in South Africa has been developed by PSI and its affiliated trade unions in order to provide migrant workers with essential information related to their rights, recruitment, documentation and employment before they migrate to South Africa. It also covers those migrant workers already working in the country.

Policy brief EB-148 : Trade Union Rights

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Trade Union Rights was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is for EB-148 to note activities in the area of trade union rights. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Route of Shame 2016: Campaign Materials

26 May 2016

Join PSI and global trade unionists in a walk for social justice! Download campaign materials here and find out more about the Route of Shame 2016.

PSI Africa & Arab countries Regional Conference - AFRECON 2019 (Lomé)

12 November 2019

A dedicated website for AFRECON 2019 will shortly be available.

Documents can be downloaded here for the moment:

PSI Asia Pacific Regional Conference - APRECON 2019 (Bali)

17 September 2019

Please check our dedicated website for APRECON 2019 for all documents, news and information.

Mission to Seoul

25 July 2017

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, will be visiting Seoul (South Korea) from 29-31 August. During the mission a series of meetings and activities will take place:

Demonstration in support of Algeria

13 June 2017

JOIN THE DEMONSTRATION TUESDAY 13 JUNE 13:00. PLACE DES NATIONS, GENEVA!

Algerian independent trade unionists attending the International Labor Conference in Geneva this year, say it is high time to finally put pressure on the Algerian government to stop the brutal violations of the human rights of workers who seek to exercise their right to join and form independent trade unions.

Route of Shame 2017

09 June 2017

Join PSI and global trade union leaders on 9 June for the “Route of Shame” bicycle ride, calling for social justice at target embassies and missions in Geneva.

Collective Bargaining in the Municipal Public Sector

06 June 2017

PSI is jointly organising a panel debate with the Municipal Workers’ Confederation of Argentina (CTM) and the Confederation of Municipal Workers of the Americas (CONTRAM-ISP AMERICAS) on the issue of Collective Bargaining in the Municipal Public sector focusing on the experiences and challenges from the Province of Buenos Aires and specifically on Act 14656 on Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining.

State of Power: Energy Democracy and Labour perspectives (India)

13 October 2016
State of Power: Energy Democracy and Labour perspectives (India)

During the People’s Forum on BRICS on 13 October from 14-17h, TUED (which PSI is part of) and TNI are co-organising a workshop called “State of Power: Energy Democracy and Labour perspectives”. PSI’s affiliated union representatives will be intervening in the workshop that will be held in Goa, India.

Audio: RadioLabour interview with NAHWAL leaders

18 October 2016

In 2014, at the height of the Ebola crisis, the Liberian government fired 22 union leaders. It still has not reinstated two of the fired leaders: Joseph Tamba, the president of the National Health Workers' Association of Liberia and George Poe Williams, the General Secretary . A RadioLabour interview with Mr Williams.

South Korea's human rights hypocrisy

29 February 2016

South Korea is currently Chair of the UN Human Rights Council, but their own record on human rights abuses is far from perfect.

Video: Precarious work situation of education support workers in Korea

08 June 2015

Representatives of PSI affiliates met in Geneva on 25-26 May 2015 for the PSI World Women’s Committee. In this interview, Bohee Choi, Vice President of the KCTU Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union (KPTU), talks about the precarious work situation of education support workers in Korea.

Video: ILO Director General speaks about the future of work for the public sector

02 June 2015

Interview with Guy Ryder, ILO Director General, at the PSI Executive Board meeting (EB-147) that took place in Geneva, Switzerland on 27-28 May 2015.

Video: Brazil - cuts and privatisation damaging health and other public services

01 June 2015

In this video, Juneia Batista, WOC Chair, talks about the situation in her home country, Brazil. She says that 2015 has started poorly, with the government introducing new measures to allow foreign capital into the Brazilian health system.

Video: PSAC - defending sick leave rights and fighting privatisation

29 May 2015

Morna Ballantyne, Public Service Alliance of Canada explains that the PSAC has launched an important campaign in defence of the sick leave provisions enshrined in their collective bargaining agreement.

Video: Many jobs need to be revalued in terms of status and salary, says Isolde Kunkel-Weber, Ver.di, Germany

29 May 2015

Representatives of PSI affiliates met in Geneva on 27-28 May 2015 for the PSI Executive Board meeting. In this video, Isolde Kunkel-Weber, Ver.di, Germany, says that her union is confronting cuts to public services. But even when services are privatised, the union makes its voice heard and demonstrates how important public services are for society. Ver.di is actively campaigning to demonstrate that kindergarten workers’ jobs need to be revalued in terms of status and salary, highlighting the importance of their role in caring for and educating children. (This video is in German)