Trade union rights

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Trade Union Federation of Health Professionals of Argentina (FeSProSa) organised a two-day strike on 6-7 March “against adjustment and dismissals”. Nearly 30,000 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other professionals downed tools in over 600 health facilities across the country.

Social dialogue towards ratification of ILO Core Conventions 87 (freedom of association) and 98 (collective bargaining) in the Republic of Korea appears to be moving in the direction of actually weakening fundamental labour rights.