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Emergencies and Disasters

PSI represents first responders and frontline workers. These are the people who put their lives at risk in order to protect and save your families. First responders include firefighters and emergency medical technicians, police and other uniformed services. They are also the frontline workers in hospitals and health clinics, in schools, in energy and water utilities; in public transport; in civil administration and in a range of other areas. All of us depend on these people being able to do their jobs, having the right tools and training.

Unions in Nepal commit to ILO Guidelines for Decent Work for Public Emergency Service Workers

02 July 2018

On 26 June, PSI held a half-day meeting on Emergency Service Workers in Kathmandu, Nepal, aimed at discussing and contributing to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Guidelines to Ensure Decent Work in Public Emergency Services (PES). The seven unions represented decided to engage the government to ensure its support for the Guidelines and develop of a strategy to implement them.

Public service unions stand in solidarity with Nepalese civil servants’ rights at regional meeting in Kathmandu

29 June 2018

Public sector trade union representatives from across the Asia Pacific region met from 27-29 June in Kathmandu, Nepal. The meeting is part of the global union federation PSI’s five-year strategic planning to achieve a better world for all, one that places people over profit.

“Japan sticks out like a sore thumb” - Interview with Mr Atsushi KAWAMOTO, Jichiro President @ ILC2018

01 June 2018

Japan remains one of the last advanced economies which still refuses to recognise the basic labour rights for public service workers. JICHIRO President, Atsushi KAWAMOTO discusses the labour movement's attempts to challenge this paradigm through the ILC's Committee on the Application of Standards which will hear the case of Japan on June 4th.

REINSTATED! Liberian Health Unionists Dismissed During Ebola Crisis Return to Work

18 May 2018

Following a four year long campaign led by Public Services International Union Federation, the Liberian Government is reinstating the leaders of the National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL), who were dismissed by the former government at the onset of the Ebola crisis for demanding adequate protective gear for their members.

New ILO guidelines to ensure decent work in Public Emergency Services (PES)

25 April 2018

Unions from every PSI region successfully negotiated new ILO guidelines to ensure decent work in public emergency services (PES). Workers, employers and governments adopted the new guidelines on 20 April 2018, which will be presented to the November 2018 ILO Governing Body for approval.

International Day for Disaster Reduction

12 October 2017

Each year, the International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed around the world on 13 October. "All levels of government need to recognise the crucial role of their emergency workers," says PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli. "These workers deserve not only respect, but protections, including the rights to join unions and negotiate terms and conditions."

Hurricanes Irma and Maria: appeal for donations

18 September 2017

PSI is calling on its affiliates to support the call for donations to the PSI Aid Fund to help our sisters and brothers in the Caribbean. Your donations will assist our affiliates in contributing to early recovery efforts as well as in rehabilitation and re-building. PSI will work with affiliates to build their capacity to influence policies and actions related to the re-building efforts, protecting the rights of workers, promoting people-centered development and advocating for quality public services that support just and equitable societies.

Gaza crisis: Solidarity call for aid and humanitarian relief

22 August 2014

Public Services International (PSI) is deeply concerned about the conflict in Gaza and deplores the resumption of fighting and the appalling death toll to civilians in the Gaza Strip. In the six weeks of fighting more than 2000 civilian Palestinians have died, a further 9563 wounded and around 400,000 people displaced following the bombing of their homes.

Please send donations for the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan

18 November 2013

Public Services International is collecting donations via the PSI Aid Fund to help our sisters and brothers in the Philippines, further to the PSI Steering Committee decision and in coordination with our affiliates in the country.

Typhoon Haiyan: Solidarity support to all PSI affiliates in the Philippines

12 November 2013

Members of the PSI Steering Committee have expressed their solidarity and deepest condolences to all people in the Philippines in the devastating wake of Typhoon Haiyan.

Outcomes of PSI Steering Comittee SC-18

17 November 2014

PSI Steering Committee (SC-18) met in Geneva on 12-13 November 2014.

The agenda covered all items relating to the implementation of the Programme of Action with a special focus on the global campaigns PSI is leading on trade agreements and tax justice.

PSI Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Intervention Strategy 2014-16

27 October 2014
Ebola in Guinea

The Ebola crisis in West Africa demonstrates clearly the threat posed to societies as a whole when quality public health systems are absent. The dire consequences of the outbreak must be seen, in general, as symptoms resulting from decades of lack of investments in public sector health systems. PSI's strategy, focussed on a trade union response to the crisis, is available for download.

Statement: Healthcare workers killed by Ebola’s worst outbreak ever

08 July 2014

The global trade union federation Public Services International condemns the preventable deaths of dozens of healthcare workers, killed on the job by Ebola because they did not have the necessary tools and equipment.

After Yolanda: Government employees are also human beings

11 March 2014

Four months after Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda as it's known in the Phlippines, PSI affiliate in the Philippines, PSLINK, has put together a photo report of the effects Yolanda has had on the population and more specifically on the lives of public sector workers.

The impact of hurricane Sandy on consolidated Edison of New York

10 February 2014
UWUA

This position paper produced by the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, is an assessment of restoration efforts and gives recommendations for the future.

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.

Speech by PSI General Secretary at the UN Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters

03 April 2013

Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of Public Services International, spoke during a UN Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters, held at the UN Headquarters in New York on 6 March 2013.