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Asia Pacific

PSI's Asia and Pacific region covers 122 unions in 22 countries and related territories with a membership of two million workers. The regional office is based in Singapore. Contact the regional offices.

PSI Asia Pacific Regional Conference - APRECON 2019 (Bali)

17 September 2019

A dedicated website for APRECON 2019 will shortly be available.

Documents can be downloaded here for the moment:

STOP Gender-based violence at work!

10 June 2019

We have entered a decisive period in time: In one month’s time, at the ILO Conference on 10-21 June 2019, the second discussion and last round of tripartite negotiations will take place on the ILO instruments with a view to adopting an ILO Convention and Recommendation.

Fresenius: unions launch first-ever global care workers’ alliance

15 May 2019

In parallel with Fresenius’ annual general meetings of shareholders, trade unions will launch the Fresenius Global Union Alliance on 16 and 17 May in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Unions demand that the healthcare giant negotiates a Global Agreement to secure workers' rights in all its operations.

PSI Statement Following the Detention of Trade Unionists in Fiji Whilst ADB Watches On

05 May 2019

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.

RCEP - trade unions seek consultation by the government

02 May 2019

They call for negotiation texts of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) to be made public and to form the basis of consultations, including through town hall meetings.

May Day 2019 - At 100 years old the ILO needs to refind its purpose

30 April 2019

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.

PSI workshop in Indonesia on strengthening women and youth leadership

29 April 2019

The national activity of the PSI - DGB BW project was conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia. Anchoring on the theme “Strengthening Women and Youth Leadership in the Trade Union Movement”, 27 young people from six affiliated unions attended the three-day workshop on April 23-25, 2019.

STOP Gender-based violence at work!

10 June 2019

We have entered a decisive period in time: In one month’s time, at the ILO Conference on 10-21 June 2019, the second discussion and last round of tripartite negotiations will take place on the ILO instruments with a view to adopting an ILO Convention and Recommendation.

South Korean government responds to workers’ demands for justice for young worker Kim Yong-gyun

04 February 2019

The South Korean government has announced today a series of measures in response to the tragic death of 24-year-old power plant worker, killed in an industrial accident resulting from the “outsourcing of danger” and lack of safety measures at Taean Power Plant.

31 October: UN World Cities Day – “Stop precarious work in local public services!”

30 October 2018

On UN World Cities Day 2018, PSI calls the United Nations, governments and mayors to halt the widespread use of precarious work in local and regional government services that hurts local communities, undermines the quality and accessibility of local public services, and stands in the way of achieving sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities (SDG11).

International Youth Day 2018 - #SafeSpaces4Youth

24 July 2018

For International Youth Day 2018 on 12 August, Public Services International (PSI) is calling on all affiliates and young workers to send a strong message that “Violence is NOT part of the job”.

HEALTH FOR ALL: marking the 2018 World Health Day

06 April 2018
Saturday 7 April is the 2018 World Health Day (WHD). This date was chosen to draw global attention to international health every year with a dedicated theme, when the World Health Organization was formed seventy years ago.

The End of Water Privatisation?

22 March 2018

Across the world, a wave of remunicipalisations has delivered water services back into public hands, often after decades of private mismanagement.

EQUAL PAY – WAGE JUSTICE

08 March 2018

On March 8, PSI stands with women around the world demanding an end to gender-based discrimination at work and calling for the transformation of the division of labour.

Take Action: Call for the release of Han Sang Gyun

29 January 2018

PSI is calling on all affiliates to join the renewed joint ITUC and GUF international campaign calling for the release of Han Sang-gyun and the withdrawal of the charges against Lee Young-joo, respectively former President and General Secretary of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).

Send a letter of protest to President Moon and join the Day of Action on 9 February 2018.

World Cities Day 2017: Municipal workers make cities happen!

25 October 2017

PSI has chosen 31 October – UN “World Cities Day” - to launch a global visual campaign aimed at raising awareness about the work of municipal public service professionals with a view to increasing their visibility and presenting a positive perception of the many essential public services they deliver every day to cities and metropolitan areas.

World Bank must stop promoting “dangerous” public-private partnerships – New Global Campaign launched!

23 October 2017

A new campaign aimed at reversing the dangerous rush to promote expensive and high-risk public-private partnerships (PPPs) was launched yesterday by Public Services International and by 151 civil society organisations from all over the globe.

Public administration workers of the Spanish foreign service go on strike on 16 October: 9-year wage freeze must end now!

16 October 2017

For the last nine years, public administration employees working abroad for the Spanish state have suffered an unjust and arbitrary wage freeze. Precarious working conditions and, in many countries, rampant inflation and strong fluctuations of local currencies have further compounded the issue.

Fight Privatization at Bridge International Academies!

18 July 2017

Civil society call on investors to cease support to Bridge International Academies - Growing evidence and analysis published in the last two years that raise grave concerns regarding Bridge’s transparency, relationship with governments, labour conditions, and breach of educational standards.

Inspiring campaigning! #TaxJustice for Women's Rights Global Days of Action

27 March 2017

The final week of the #TaxJustice for Women's Rights Global Days of Action has been extremely busy. These have been truly global days of action, as you will see from the photos, events and actions from around the world.

Support Fair and Ethical Recruitment: #NoRecruitmentFees

14 February 2017
Join the PSI campaign to abolish the practice of charging recruitment fees on migrant workers. Sign on to the Manifesto and use it to shift policy and practice towards fair and ethical recruitment. #NoRecruitmentFees

Stay strong, Korean public workers! Stop labour repression!

06 October 2016

Trade unions in Korea are campaigning for the Park Geun-hye government’s proposed legislation for a discriminatory performance-related pay and termination system for public sector workers to be cancelled. They held a huge general strike and rally on 27 September and are now asking for international solidarity support.

7 April - Time for Universal Public Health Care

05 April 2019

Health is a human right. The 2019 World Health Day (WHD) is an opportunity to advocate for every woman, man and child to have access to quality public health.

22 March - Water for all... no exception

21 March 2019

As we celebrate World Water Day one week after the successful global students strike for climate, similarities between the two events find an echo in the frustration with political systems which refuse to address obvious and urgent needs of the people.

PSI statements for the 144th session of the WHO Executive Board

13 March 2019

144th session of the Executive Board (24 January - 1 February 2019)

A Quantum Leap for Gender Equality: For a Better Future of Work for All

11 March 2019

This new ILO report highlights key gender gaps and obstacles to decent work for women.

8 March - Women’s struggles need to be more bold and radical than ever

07 March 2019

Women’s Day is not a moment to celebrate the feminine. It is a day for political upheaval. Only by placing women’s struggles at the heart of labour action can we achieve the meaningful progress which generations of women have fought for. Read the PSI statement here.

Advancing Women's Human Rights through Gender Responsive Public Services

12 December 2018

This Expert paper by PSI proposes that the UNCSW adopt the framework of Gender Responsive Quality Public Services (GRQPS) and in doing so address the primary barriers to the delivery of GRQPS and the enablers of GRQPS and women’s human rights, including labour rights of those workers who are strategic in front line-public services.

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.

Women's rights beyond the business case: ensuring corporate accountability

01 September 2018

Together with a wide range of organisations under the umbrella of the Feminists for a Binding Treaty coalition, PSI has participated in the production of this briefing that highlights the importance of a binding gender-just international accountability framework for Transnational Corporations (TNCs).

Trade Unions in Transformation

31 July 2018
Photo: Striking dressmakers take a break in diner, ca. 1955 by Kheel Center - CC BY 2.0

With “trade unions in transformation«, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) contributes to shifting the narrative about trade unions. Moving away from the standard depiction of unions as victims of globalization, this project highlights that unions do have agency and power. The stories of successful trade union action told in this brochure demonstrate how labour can and already does shape globalization.

SDG6: Water and sanitation are fundamental services, privatization is not a means of implementation!

10 July 2018

The ambition and breadth of the UN's Sustainable Development Agenda has been the object of both praise and ridicule. This report examines the challenges facing the implementation of SDG6, water and sanitation, and the bold strategies required to overcome them.

Report: Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2018

09 July 2018

PSI is a partner of the Reflection Group on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and together with other civil society organizations and networks has produced the annual Spotlight Report assessing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the structural obstacles in its realization.

Alternatives to PPPs – growing instances of de-privatization

09 July 2018

Extract from the Civil Society Report "Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2018" - the new global report assesses obstacles and contradictions in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

PSI General Secretary’s speech at PSI JC’s 30th anniversary

09 July 2018

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, gave a speech at PSI Japan Council's (PSI-JC) 30th anniversary which took place in Tokyo on 22 June 2018. This was part of a three-day visit, invited by PSI-JC, the National Coordinating Committee of PSI affiliates in Japan.

PSI and IndustriALL sign renegotiated Global Framework Agreement with EDF Group

28 May 2018

On 29 May 2018 PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli, IndustriAll General Secretary Valter Sanchez and EDF Group CEO Jean-Bernard Lévy signed a renewed Global Framework Agreement on Corporate Social Responsibility covering human and labour rights in the presence of the International Labour Organization Director General Guy Ryder, during the 107th session of the International Labour Conference with the participation of French trade unions .

FOCUS on tax justice - International union rights

17 May 2018

FOCUS on tax justice is Volume 25 Issue 1 2018 of the journal of International Union Rights. The journal is published four times a year in English and has earned a reputation as the leading independent forum for global trade union debate, winning a readership in more than 100 countries worldwide. The editorial "Corporate tax dodging is stealing from workers and must be stopped" in this issue was written by PSI.

PSI Asia Pacific Regional Conference - APRECON 2019 (Bali)

17 September 2019

A dedicated website for APRECON 2019 will shortly be available.

Documents can be downloaded here for the moment:

World of Work meeting (New Zealand)

14 January 2019

On 17 March, previous to the five-day ILGA world conference, a meeting titled "World of Work" will be held on the role of trade unions defending LGBTI rights. Both events will take place in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.

PSI Global Labour Remunicipalisation Workshop (Geneva)

30 November 2018

This workshop on “Building union strategies to bring public services back in-house” is open to PSI trade union representatives with a direct experience of remunicipalising public services and/or with an interest in peer learning about these processes with a view to engage and drive remunicipalisation processes in the future.

Demonstrating commitment and leadership on equal pay

26 September 2018

PSI is participating in an Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) Pledging Event. The main objective of the event is to build a consortium of committed partners to accelerate the pace in closing the gender pay gap and achieving equal pay, in line with target 8.5 of the SDGs.

Global Dialogue Forum on Employment Terms and Conditions in Tertiary Education (Geneva)

13 September 2018

The Forum will examine employment terms and conditions, professional rights and social dialogue mechanisms, including collective bargaining and collegial governance in tertiary education, with the aim of adopting points of consensus, including recommendations for future action by the International Labour Organization and its Members.

RCEP and Free Trade in Asia Pacific: People's Responses (Bangkok)

19 July 2018
#NoRCEP Protest, Hyderabad, 24 July 2017

On 20-24 July in Bangkok, on the sidelines of the 23rd round of negotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), social movements, trade unions and civil society organisations will come together to organise a series of meetings on free trade and RCEP and its implications on employment, environment, access to essential services and medicines, and policy space.

UN Conference of State Parties to the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

12 June 2018
Shutterstock

PSI is participating for the first time in the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) held in New York from 12-14 June. PSI is also jointly organising a side event on 13 June, to identify how Social Dialogue is, or could be, used to ensure the implementation of the CRPD.

Trade and Investment Liberalisation: Impact on Indian Workers (Bengaluru)

05 April 2018

This workshop, held in Bengaluru (India) from 17-18 April, aims at discussing the impact of trade policy as well as specific agreements on key sectors in manufacturing and services from the perspective of the workers engaged in these sectors. Through sharing of experience and knowledge we aim to understand the full impacts of trade and investment policies and identify strategies to tackle the challenges they pose. The workshop is organised by PSI, the Forum against Free Trade Agreements, Third World Network and the Transnational Institute.

Asia Pacific Regional Strategy Meeting on Trade Justice (Singapore)

03 April 2018

PSI and Building and Woodworkers International (BWI) will be holding an Asia Pacific Regional Strategy Meeting on Trade Justice, from 3-4 May 2018 in Singapore that will bring together key trade unions in the region with an interest in trade, Global Union Federations (GUFs), experts and civil society representatives. The meeting, supported by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), will explore the option of creating a regional union network on trade and use participatory methods to create a shared regional strategy.

Trade Unions and Workers roundtable (Malaysia)

05 February 2018

During the 9th session of the World Urban Forum, PSI together with UCLG, ILO, BWI, Action Aid and WIEGO will be holding a stakeholders’ roundtable on Trade unions and workers. This UNHabitat event will take place on 11 February from 14h30 to 16h30.

"RCEP, labour & public services" workshop (Philippines)

04 September 2017

Public Services International, Focus on the Global South, Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ), NAGKAISA Labor Coalition and Transnational Institute (TNI) organised a two-day regional workshop “RCEP, LABOUR & PUBLIC SERVICES” that aimed to demystify the RCEP and trade agreements from the viewpoint of public services and implications for workers. The workshop took place on 6-7 September in Manila, Philippines.

Conversation with authors of the Civil Society Report "Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2017"

17 July 2017

Authors of the recently launched Spotlight Report will present key findings and recommendations to participants for discussion. The 2017 edition focuses on privatization, partnerships, corporate capture and the impact they have on sustainability and inequality.

Accelerating Women’s Economic Empowerment to Achieve the 2030 Agenda

17 July 2017

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, will be speaking on 17 July at the UNSG’s High-Level Panel (HLP) on Women’s Economic Empowerment. The HLP is a side event at the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), currently taking place in New York.

Everyday Oscars - #EndGBVatWork

12 March 2018

Ending violence against women is a top-priority for PSI. PSI fully supports the ITUC campaignfor this new international labour standard and invites all affiliated unions to join the campaign. Your mobilising, organising and lobbying is critical to build and ensure governments’ support for an ILO Convention and a Recommendation at the ILO Conference in June 2018.

Audio: Healthcare is a basic human right

07 April 2017

RadioLabour interviews PSI General-Secretary Rosa Pavanelli on PSI's recently launched campaign for the Human Right to Health aimed at promoting universal public health coverage for all.

Photos: PSI/EPSU Global Municipal Workers' Network Meeting

22 September 2016
Brussels 19 September 2016
Source: Flickr

Over 60 Municipal trade unionists from all over the world gathered in Brussels on 19 September 2016 for the PSI Global Local and Regional Government (Municipal) Workers Union Network gathered to identify joint priorities and develop global strategies for the municipal work ahead of the PSI Congress next year. An exciting, promising start for a strong global PSI Municipal sector.

Video: All migrants have the right to have economic and social rights

14 March 2016

Statement of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, addressing the PSI - EPSU - ETUI seminar “Public Services Welcoming Migrants: Strengthening the role of public service trade unions in the protection of human rights and delivery of public services to migrants, asylum seekers and refugees” in Brussels, Belgium on 15 March.

PSI at the 14th Coordination Meeting on International Migration - 4th meeting

03 March 2016

Geneviève Gencianos, Public Services International (PSI) Migration Programme Coordinator, participating in the 4th meeting of the 14th Coordination Meeting on International Migration, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) at the United Nations in New York, 25-26 February 2016.

PSI at the 14th Coordination Meeting on International Migration - 2nd meeting

03 March 2016

Geneviève Gencianos, Public Services International (PSI) Migration Programme Coordinator, participating in the 2nd meeting of the 14th Coordination Meeting on International Migration, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) at the United Nations in New York, 25-26 February 2016.

South Korea's human rights hypocrisy

29 February 2016

South Korea is currently Chair of the UN Human Rights Council, but their own record on human rights abuses is far from perfect.

Video: Update from COP21

05 December 2015

Anabella Rosemberg‎, ITUC, giving an update from the Paris climate summit on 5 December on the negotiations that risk removing a commitment to human rights and “Just Transition” to a low carbon future.

Video: We must improve the governance of the international tax system

15 June 2015

José Antonio Ocampo, Former UN Undersecretary-General, Former Minister of Finance of Colombia and currently Professor, Colombia University, at the ICRICT panel in Trento on 2 June, explains to us the main points of the ICRICT report.

Video: We are losing massive resources to tax avoidance

12 June 2015

Jayati Ghosh, Professor of Economics at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, speaks at the ICRICT panel in Trento, Italy on 2 June 2015.

Video: Multinationals are depriving developing countries of their fair share of taxes

12 June 2015

Eva Joly, French magistrate and politician for Europe Écologie–The Greens, speaks at the ICRICT panel in Trento, Italy on 2 June 2015.

Video: Multinationals are attacking democracy

12 June 2015

Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary, speaks at the ICRICT panel on tax reform in Trento, Italy on 2 June 2015.

Video: ILO Director General’s intervention at EB-147

11 June 2015

Guy Ryder, ILO Director General, speaks at the PSI Executive Board meeting (EB-147) that took place in Geneva, Switzerland on 27-28 May 2015.

Video: Precarious work situation of education support workers in Korea

08 June 2015

Representatives of PSI affiliates met in Geneva on 25-26 May 2015 for the PSI World Women’s Committee. In this interview, Bohee Choi, Vice President of the KCTU Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union (KPTU), talks about the precarious work situation of education support workers in Korea.

Audio: RadioLabour report on ILC 2015

08 June 2015

Radio Labour reports from the Interntional Labour Conference 2015 with the speeches by trade union leaders Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary and Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary.