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Migration and Refugees

In many countries, skilled health and social care workers feel they must leave their families behind and work abroad to earn a decent income. They brave exploitation and discrimination. And their departure weakens health and social services in their home community. PSI works with unions worldwide to protect migrant workers and to improve the quality of health and social services. Read more

“We can get stuck here for quite a while” - Reflections from a visit to an IDP Camp in Nigeria

09 July 2018

PSI, in partnership with and through the support of its affiliate ASSR, and Union to Union, Sweden, went to visit one of the largest camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. The activity was part of a new project launched this year on Building Trade Union Capacity to Defend the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Quality Public Services in Nigeria.

National Day of Action on June 30: #FamiliesBelongTogether

26 June 2018

On June 30, join PSI affiliate SEIU, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, ACLU, MoveOn, and United We Dream in rallies across the US for the “Families Belong Together” National Day of Action, demanding an end to the family separation policy of the Trump administration.

Trump has bowed to public pressure

21 June 2018

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has taken steps to formally file a complaint with the United Nations. The zero tolerance policy that separates children from their families violates international law. PSI urges affiliates to join the AFT campaign calling on the United Nation Human Rights Council to take immediate action.

AFT protests Trump policies at UN Headquarters

20 June 2018

On World Refugee Day, the American Federation of Teachers organized a protest in front of the United Nations in New York to call for an immediate end to the policy of the Trump administration to separate families of migrants and refugees at the border.

World Refugee Day: Rich countries must take their share of responsibility

20 June 2018

Imagine if, practically overnight, your country had to absorb an extra 40% of its own population in refugees. How would you provide accommodation, water, electricity, health, jobs or schools to all these people? What would you do to minimize rising tensions between the local population and the newcomers, considering that many of the former are also struggling to obtain these basic services?

European and Spanish migration policies must change and become people-focused

19 June 2018

Participants from the seminar on working conditions in the provision of services to migrants called for the authorities to provide services to migrants directly rather than outsource the work and for NGOs to complement rather than replace these services.

No Global Compact on Migration Without Decent Work for All

07 June 2018

Worker delegates at the International Labour Conference (ILC) Call for decent work for all in the UN Global Compact on Migration.

Canada: pre-decision and information kit

19 November 2011

The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) are working with their sisters and brothers affiliated with Public Services International (PSI) to strengthen labour’s response to migration and to promote quality public health services.

Bermuda - Migration Pre-decision kit

19 November 2011

Bermuda’s small population limits its ability to provide adequate workers in specific areas of public services. For this reason, Bermuda relies heavily on migrant workers and is considered a country of destination.

Pre-decision kit

07 November 2011

Public Services International (PSI) and its affiliated unions have prepared this kit to provide basic information on the facts, realities and issues concerning migration in the health sector. It is designed to help potential migrant health workers make an informed choice and to support unions that wish to assist health workers in making the right decisions

Annual Report 2010

05 April 2011

In the face of widening cuts to public services and attacks on the rights of public sector workers around the world, leaders of private and public sector trade unions, municipal governments and civil society groups made the unprecedented joint commitment to work together to promote investment in quality public services backed by fair taxation policies as the key solution to the economic crisis, and the best way to build peaceful, equitable, democratic and environmentally-sustainable societies.

Annual Report 2009

03 April 2010

Environmental and social sustainability provided the primary theme for PSI’s work in 2009. Leading into the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen in December, trade unions and civil society allies worked hard to ensure that world leaders would agree on an ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions. Alas, this dream did not become reality. But we are committed to continuing this struggle and achieving real results.

United States - Pre-decision and Information Kit

04 May 2009

Each of the 50 states in the United States is unique in its own way. Elected governors and legislatures govern each state and the president and congress governs the country.

Basic questions Health Workers need to ask - PDK

04 May 2009

When considering migration for the purpose of employment, one has to carefully weigh the benefits and consequences of the move.

Young Workers: PDK

02 May 2009

Migration is an issue that affects us all. It cuts across many realities either at work or in the community. Trade unions want to protect migrant workers rights and to promote international solidarity among workers worldwide.

PDK: Bermuda

02 May 2009

Bermuda’s small population limits its ability to provide adequate workers in specific areas of public services.

Netherlands: pre-decision and information kit

24 April 2009

Since World War II the Netherlands has had regular shortages of health workers. One
solution was to attract workers abroad. First in the former Dutch colonies of Indonesia
and Suriname, later in other countries such as the Philippines, South-Africa, Ireland,
Germany, Russia, Poland and Latvia.

Philippines: pre-decision and information kit

24 April 2009

Choosing to work abroad is a big decision that entails careful research, analysis and preparation from the aspiring migrant worker. Especially in the Philippines where poverty and lack of opportunities are so widespread, many Filipinos are enticed and compelled to seek better prospects in other countries, thereby increasing the number of people desperate to find work abroad, and alongside it, the number of malicious people ready to cash in on the growing industry. Thus, it is not uncommon to hear stories about innocent Filipinos getting victimized by illegal recruiters and scammers.

Kenya: Pre-decision & Information Kit

24 April 2009

It is a human right for one to seek opportunities to improve his or her life and social and economic status. Faced with low remuneration, poor working conditions, workplace violence and the rising prices of basic commodities in developing countries, health workers are opting to migrate to industrialized countries where they believe they can find better opportunities for themselves and for their families.

Annual Report 2008

03 April 2009

Looking back at 2008 the one word that comes to mind is CHANGE. We saw a dramatic change in the global economy, it was the keyword in the US election and we initiated changes in PSI.

Ghana: pre-decision and information kit

22 April 2008

In Ghana, where unemployment and poverty are on the rise, many Ghanaian health workers are enticed and compelled to seek ‘greener pastures’ in Europe and in North America. Without adequate information preparation, aspiring migrants cannot make informed decisions on whether it is really in their best interest to migrate.