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.

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.

Weak health systems caused the Ebola crisis in Liberia

16 March 2016

Liberia was the third country to be hit by the Ebola crisis in 2014-2015. Over 10,000 cases and almost 5,000 deaths were reported. Health workers in particular were severely hit due to the lack of personal protective equipment, medication and material, as well as knowledge of the disease.

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.

Indian unions call for indefinite strike

08 March 2016
Indian trade union demonstration

In the absence of successful negotiations with the government on their list of demands, Indian trade unions are organising a series of actions, culminating in an indefinite strike from 11th July.

Rosa Pavanelli joins UN Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth

08 March 2016
Rosa Pavanelli/Photo:CUPE

PSI General Secretary will represent the trade union movement, health workers and public services on a newly created UN High Level Commission announced by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the 2nd of March.

A new session of the UN Human Rights Council starts and there’s something not quite right

29 February 2016
Korean police dragging away a female protestor

The 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council started on 29 February 2016. For a period of four weeks, the representatives of its 47 member States, elected by the UN General Assembly, will deliberate on the human rights violations in a number of countries and make their recommendations.

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?

General strike in Morocco on 24 February

23 February 2016
Strikers in Morocco

The Moroccan trade union movement has decided to hold a general strike on 24 February because of the non-compliance of the government to its commitments on social dialogue and its violations of freedom of association.