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Gender equality

“Women hold up half the sky – get used to it.” That message, painted on a sign at a demonstration, tells only half the story. In many ways, women do more than their share: caring for the next generation and elderly parents, household duties, and contributing economically. Women are more than equal in the responsibilities they assume. This must be matched with political, economic and social equality.

Global wage growth lowest since 2008

30 November 2018

Global wage growth in 2017 fell to its lowest rate since 2008, far below levels before the global financial crisis, according to a new International Labour Organization (ILO) report. The gender pay gap, at about 20 per cent globally, remains unacceptably high.

Campaign Toolkit: Paid Domestic Violence Leave

27 November 2018

PSI developed this toolkit to support affiliates and allies in campaigning for a broad and ambitious ILO Convention and Recommendation on “Ending violence and harassment in the world of work” and paid domestic violence leave for all workers.

Unions Demand Paid Leave for Survivors of Domestic Violence

27 November 2018

PSI affiliates in the Asia Pacific region have launched a campaign for universal paid leave for survivors of domestic violence as part of a push to strengthen labour laws and policies that can help stop violence and harassment.

Women are most likely to be affected by violence in the workplace, but we are all victims

27 November 2018

In an op-ed published around the world, PSI Gender Equality Officer, Verónica Montúfar, writes about how sexual harassment and assault are part of most women’s professional lives. Even though men can also suffer violence and harassment in the workplace, stereotyping and inequality in power relationships make women much more vulnerable to it.

Ending workplace violence and harassment in public services

23 November 2018

The recent deaths of two young women health workers in Nigeria, Saifura and Hauwa, are the latest tragic examples of the dangers faced by workers when delivering public services. However, on this 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we must remember that it is not only in the extreme conditions of conflict zones that workplace violence occurs.

An equal seat at the table

15 November 2018

On 5-9 November, PSI coordinated a workshop in Barbados, in collaboration with the Workers’ Activities branch (ACTRAV) of the ILO’s Latin America & Regional Office, to learn about gender-neutral job evaluation concepts and methods. The aim was to explore the application of gender-neutral pay systems in the workplace and especially in the health and social services sector.

Over 8,000 women in Glasgow to strike over gender-based pay discrimination in public services

18 October 2018
GMB members (left to right) Gillian Docherty, Eileen Dougall, Shona Thomson and Lee-Ann Dougall (Jane Barlow/PA)

Thousands of school staff, caterers, cleaners, nursery and care workers - members of PSI affiliates UNISON and GMB - will begin a 48-hour strike action on 23 October. The decision comes after a 12-year tribunal battle, and a repeated refusal by the city council to state its position after the highest court in Scotland ruled last year that the city’s pay system was discriminatory.

Statements to the 8th Session of the General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals

20 February 2014

Public Services International participated in the United Nations Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, which had its eighth and final stock-taking and information-gathering session 3-7 February 2014 (OWG8), in New York.

Resolution 36: Migration and Discrimination

31 January 2014

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

Resolution 12: Educating and Mobilizing Workers and the Public in Support of Fair Tax Systems to Fund High-Quality Public Services

30 January 2014

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

Communiqué: Public Services International Steering Committee SC-17

25 November 2013
PSI Steering Committee and staff, November 2013

Angered by the continuing attacks on public services and the workers who provide these services, distressed by the rising inequality across the world and the failure of the current economic system to provide jobs, particularly for young people, the Steering Committee reiterated its commitments to the 2013-2017 Programme of Action “Social Justice through Quality Public Services” and endorsed priority actions for 2014.

Work-related violence and its integration into existing surveys

20 November 2013

Statistical measurement of violence at the workplace has been neglected, states a new ILO report presented at the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians, held in Geneva, 2-11 October 2013.

Posters: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

18 November 2013
PSI violence against women poster

PSI calls on all its affiliate members, men and women, to make a pledge to end violence against women and girls, at each of their workplaces around the globe. Use these posters available in eight languages

Gender pay gap in public services : an initial report

19 May 2013

Drawing on figures from both Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, and national statistics offices, it examines the position in 38 separate states. Starting with the gender pay gap in the economy as a whole the report, commissioned by EPSU from the Labour Research Department, looks at how it varies between countries; how it has moved over the last five years; and some of the factors that explain the variations.

Cuts in public sector pay and employment: the impact on women in the public sector

19 May 2013

Across Europe, governments have cut sector pay and jobs in the public sector in response to the financial crisis, which became evident in the autumn of 2008. Although the timing has varied – the Baltic states were among the first to reduce spending, while other countries like Spain and Portugal acted later – these cuts have damaged the living standards and future prospects of millions of public sector workers.

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.

Posters - International Women's Day 2013

28 February 2013
PSI poster for International Women's Day with slogan End Violence Against Women

Download PSI's International Women's Day 2013 posters (PDF).

No compromise on women’s rights Zero tolerance for violence against women and girls

19 February 2013

Together with other civil society partners, trade unions develop, implement and promote strategies aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls. This joint global union statement will be presented to the UNCSW57. For more information: http://unioncsw.world-psi.org

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 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 31: Against feminicide in Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic

30 November 2012

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

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW57)

04 March 2013

Union women from around the world are gathering in New York for the United Nations’ 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW57), starting on 4th March 2013. Focusing on the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, the trade union delegation to UNCSW57 will call on all member states to take all necessary measures to immediately and without further delay prevent and remedy violence against women and girls.

Rise now! End violence against women

23 November 2012

PSI women speak out to end “violence against women” at the PSI Women’s Caucus, Durban, South Africa on 25 November 2012 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

For more information: http://congress.world-psi.org/womens-caucus

PSI’s 29th World Congress in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012

22 November 2012

As part of its World Congress events, PSI is holding a series of pre-congress meetings on key issues.

International Women's Day 2012

08 March 2012
PSI Poster for International Women's Day 2012

On International Women’s Day, 8 March 2012, Public Services International recognises and applauds the work of women trade unionists, who are always at the very heart of our struggle for human and labour rights and equality.

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW)

03 March 2012
Picture of african woman washing dishes

Union women from around the world are gathering in New York for the United Nations’ 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW56), starting on 27th February 2012. Focusing on decent work for rural women, quality public services, social protection and human rights, the trade union delegation to UNCSW56 will call on governments to commit to concrete measures to ensure that women living and working in rural areas enjoy opportunities for economic, social and human development.

World Women’s Committee (WOC Nov 2011)

23 November 2011

Please note that the documents for this meeting are available to members of the Women's Committee only. To view them you will need to login with your username and password.

Veuillez noter que les documents pour cette réunion ne sont disponibles que pour les membres du Comité mondial des femmes. Pour les visualiser et les télécharger, veuillez vous connecter avec votre nom d’utilisateur et votre mot de passe.

World Women's Committee (WOC - May 2012)

30 January 2011

Please note that the documents for this meeting are available to members of the Women's Committee only. To view them you will need to login with your username and password.

Veuillez noter que les documents pour cette réunion ne sont disponibles que pour les membres du Comité mondial des femmes. Pour les visualiser et les télécharger, veuillez vous connecter avec votre nom d’utilisateur et votre mot de passe.