PSI in the Asia-Pacfic region
 PSI's Asia and Pacific region is one of the four regions in the PSI structure. It includes 122 unions in 22 countries and 3 regions with a membership of 2 million workers. Communication and working languages are English and Japanese. The
regional executive committee and regional secretariat are based in Singapore. It has adopted the name Asia Pacific Regional Organisation (APRO-PSI). For more on the PSI's work in the Asia-Pacific, including regional outlook and action plans, click here 
PSI affiliates directory
PSI programme of events
Analysis
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The future of New Zealand public services
The New Zealand Public Service Association, a PSI affiliate, took a brave step at their congress late last year. They decided to look into the future of public services. This is what they saw.
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India: Unions need rights!
At nine o’clock on 26 January 2007, as all India celebrated the day they became a republic, 250 trade union leaders representing eleven public service unions assembled for a conference to discuss trade union rights.
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Final curtain for Thai energy privatisation?
In early 2004, massive protests led by workers from the state-owned Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand snowballed into a much broader anti-privatisation movement that increasingly challenged the Prime Minister’s plans to privatise public utilities in energy and water.
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Pakistan - Unionism under threat
There is a great risk that trade unions will be completely banned in Pakistan, says Manzoor Ahmed, MP for Pakistan’s largest workers’ party and honorary chairman of the trade union defence campaign.
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IMF: the wrong business model - or the wrong business?
Outstanding loans to the IMF have fallen from $90 billion to $66 billion in 18 months and are forecast to fall to $35 billion by the end of 2006. The reduction has been sharply increased by Argentina and Brazil, who have both decided to repay their loans early. This poses a problem for the Fund which relies on interest from its lending to fund its operational costs. Jubilee Research, UK, has published a paper that argues that it is not just a question of whether the IMF is using the wrong business model, but whether the Fund is the wrong institution trying to do the wrong job in the wrong way.
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Paying your dues
 It is simple enough in theory. Trade unions collect fees in order to do whatever their membership collectively decides should be done. In practice, however, the first part of the equation is becoming increasingly difficult. In many countries unions are under attack, and employers are creating obstacles at the point where fees are collected. To what extent does this represent an “Achilles heel” for the trade union movement? This article looks at three countries’ experiences, and the lessons the movement is learning.
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What makes a good job?
Job satisfaction was once a hot topic in academia. From the 1960s through till the late 1980s, management theorists looked at the question from every angle they could think of, trying to find ways to create a contented labour force: “one less concerned with money rewards and less inclined to unionise”. Researchers expected to find a strong correlation between job satisfaction and productivity. But when these results proved elusive, research funding dried up. Unions have never let the question drop.
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Measuring resistance to privatisation
 The process of privatisation in water and energy has proved hugely unpopular and encountered strong political opposition around the world. A new report from PSIRU examines the role of popular opposition in delaying, cancelling, or reversing the privatisation of water and energy.
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Publications
 PSI has produced a large range of publications
relating to public sector unionism in the Asia and Pacific. Below is a
selection. We are still adding to this list, so watch this
space.
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“Public-Private Partnerships in Water Sector: Partnerships or Privatisation?”
Manthan in India has just published a new publication called "Public-Private Partnerships in Water Sector: Partnerships or Privatisation?". The report looks at various aspects of PPPs and analyses the arguments given in favor of PPPs, the structural issues with PPPs and the larger governance issues associated with PPPs like transparency, people’s participation, access to information and regulation. It also looks for evidence and experiences of PPP projects in various parts of the world. It draws lessons that need to be learnt and cautions that need to be taken on board when advocating PPPs in public services like water and sanitation.
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Abuses against Sri Lankan Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates
December 2007 - Sri Lankan domestic workers face serious abuses, including violence, harassment and exploitation when they migrate to work in the Middle East, Human Rights Watch said in a newly released report. Human Rights Watch said the governments of Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should do more to protect women from labor exploitation and violence when they migrate to the Middle East. "Governments in the Middle East expose Sri Lankan domestic workers to abuse by refusing to guarantee a weekly rest day, limits to the workday, freedom of movement and other rights that most workers take for granted," said Jennifer Turner, a researcher in the Women's Rights division at Human Rights Watch. "For its part, the Sri Lankan government welcomes the money these women send home, but does little to protect them from exploitative bosses or labor agents."
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Administration documents
This is a collection of the central documents which define PSI work and priorities.
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Asia-Pacific Health and Social Services Bulletin
This is a quarterly bulletin distributed in MS-Word format by email. Contributions and feedback can be sent to Glenn Barclay (glenn.barclay@psa.org.nz) in New Zealand.
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Asia-Pacific News
The AP News is published by Public Services International Asia and Pacific Regional Organisation (PSI APRO). This news will be circulated electronically every two months to all affiliates in Asia and Pacific, Contributions and feedback can be sent to Indah Budiarti (indah.budiarti@world-psi.org) or Mike Ingpen (mike.ingpen@psa.org.nz).
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Briefing Notes: How to Use the ILO Supervisory Mechanisms on Workers' Rights
This briefing note will assist unions in defending their rights at work. It includes information on how to submit a complaint to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association, and how PSI and EI can help. Although prepared for Asia-Pacific, much of the information is relevant to other regions.
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Charting a Union's Future
Some pointers on the planning process
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Directory of affiliates
Directory of PSI affiliates in Asia by country
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Electricity Privatisation and Restructuring in Asia-Pacific
 This PSIRU report looks at problems caused by energy privatisation in the Asia-Pacific region. Companies which were supposed to provide the solution to Asia’s power needs are now withdrawing their money and expertise. The World Bank and development banks have acknowledged their policies are failing. Between half and three-quarters of their money has been consumed by the bureaucracy of restructuring, instead of the needs of developing countries.
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Firefighters and Ambulance Workers Network Bulletin
Firefighters and Ambulance Workers Network Bulletin is published by Public Services International Asia and Pacific Regional Organisation (PSI APRO). This electronic bulletin will be quarterly circulated particularly to all network members in this region. Should you wish to contribute to this bulletin, please contact the Network Coordinator: Daisuke Yoshikawa ( daisuke-yoshikawa@city.suzuka.lg.jp) and or katsuhiko.sato@world-psi.org
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In reaction to the international financial crisis, initatives are multiplying around the world to make a financial transactions tax a reality.
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We have the pleasure to welcome Anandalakshmi Vaidhiyanathan as new PSI Regional Secretary for Asia-Pacific region. Anandalakshmi will officially start work on 1st March 2010, and be based in the regional office in Singapore. She will be taking over from Katsuhiko Sato who has worked in this position for six years.
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PSI will present the first annual Public Service Trade Union award at the Quality Public Services Conference in Geneva this October. Nominations must be sent to PSI before the end of April 2010.
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On 9 February, members of PSI affiliate the Public Service Association (PSA) and the Corrections Association (CA) rallied outside the New Zealand parliament in protest against the National Party-led government’s plan to privatise prisons.
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Australian trade unions are optimistic that pay equity legislation will, after the publiction of a government report, become a reality for working women.
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RadioLabour is a new source of international labour news on the Internet. Weekly audiocasts will focus on union and workers' activities and issues from around the world with special emphasis on emerging market and developing countries.
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Manthan in India has just published a new publication called "Public-Private Partnerships in Water Sector: Partnerships or Privatisation?". The report looks at various aspects of PPPs and analyses the arguments given in favor of PPPs, the structural issues with PPPs and the larger governance issues associated with PPPs like transparency, people’s participation, access to information and regulation. It also looks for evidence and experiences of PPP projects in various parts of the world. It draws lessons that need to be learnt and cautions that need to be taken on board when advocating PPPs in public services like water and sanitation.
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A 2% increase of 25c to the minimum wage is a slap in the face for gender pay equity", says Angela McLeod on behalf of the New Zealand Pay Equity Challenge Coalition. About 65 % of low paid workers are women. An increase in the minimum wage would automatically, simply and efficiently reduce the gender pay gap. It would also contribute to family incomes, reducing child poverty.
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Migration is a global phenomenon today and it is becoming a social issue in Sri Lanka, as the number of migrants are on the increase in every passing year. People migrate to foreign countries in search of a better life for them personally and for their family members in general.
Lack of information and awareness of the rights of migrant workers contribute to their vulnerability as workers in the global labour market. Specially, women migrant workers face specific challenges and with the majority of migrant workers in Sri Lanka, been female, the problems they encounter bring hazards to their families in return. Therefore it has become vital and crucial need for the authorities to look into this problem with a greater commitment.
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PSI is looking for a suitably experienced person to coordinate and manage the ‘Trade Union Rights project for South East Asia (Malaysia, Philippines & Thailand)’. This project will be commenced in April 2010 and finish in December 2012. The Project Coordinator will coordinate from the PSI-APRO regional office in Singapore. He is responsible for managing the project and supporting the South East Asia trade union rights campaigns at the national and regional levels and coordinating with the international level in accordance with PSI policies and activities in the sub-region. The deadline for applications is 15 February 2010.
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 Contact details
Information on regional staff
Regional Office
Regional Secretary
Wisma AUPE, 295 Upper Paya Lebar Road,
Singapore 534929
Email katsuhiko.sato@world-psi.org
Tel +65.6282.3219
Fax +65.6280.4919
Sub-regional Offices
East Asia (office in Tokyo, Japan)
Hong Kong-China, Japan, Korea, Macau-China, Mongolia and Taiwan-China
Email itok@psi-jc.jp
Tel +81 (0)3 3234 3270
Fax +81 (0)3 5275 5464
South Asia (office in Faridabad, India)
Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Email psisouthasia@airtelmail.in
Tel +91 129 226 1175 or +91 129 400 5142
Fax +91 129 2286198
South East Asia (office in Singapore)
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
Email katherine.loh@world-psi.org
Tel +65 6380 0858
Fax +65 6284 2142
Oceania (office in Wellington, New Zealand)
Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island states.
Email mike.ingpen@psa.org.nz
Tel +64 (0)4 917 0333
Fax +64 (0)4 917 2051
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