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Health and Social care services

Quality health care is important to families, societies and the economy – because healthy workers are more productive. The PSI – which represents 8 million health care workers – believes that care must be available to people who need it, not just to those who can pay. Health care is dangerous work. These workers, and the services they provide, are worthy of everyone’s support. Read more

Oregon’s House of Representatives passes HOPE amendment on Health Care

20 March 2018
Nurses, legislators and community leaders support state constitutional amendment to recognize health care as a human right

The Oregon House of Representatives made history on 13 February 2018, voting to pass the HOPE amendment to amend Oregon’s Constitution and recognize health care as a fundamental right.

UNISON’s “Pay Up Now” Campaign’s strategy for better pay

20 March 2018
UNISON Pay Up Now campaign

After the UK’s 2017 general election, UNISON established its “Pay Up Now!” campaign, calling for the end of the public sector pay cap and the restoration of real terms pay rises for all public sector workers.

India's health system challenges

20 March 2018
Women workers at a sit-down demo

On 17 January 2018, in an enormous show of strength and determination close to 6 million community-based workers in health, education, nutrition and care services, 90% of them women, went on strike across India. But less than a month later, when the union budget was presented, their legitimate demands for decent work and quality public services were ignored.

NO to Privatisation of Ambulatory Surgical Care at HUG

13 March 2018

The Geneva University Hospitals, HUG (Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève) recently issued tenders for private “partners” to run its ambulatory operation services, through a public-private partnership (PPP). This, as PSI Swiss affiliate le Syndicat des Services Publics (SSP) has pointed out, is a surreptitious introduction of privatisation of surgical care.

Equal Pay and Closing the Gender Pay Gap

04 March 2018

This statement provides an overview of three key areas where PSI affiliate UNISON has been leading campaigns and collective bargaining to end gender pay discrimination and to win equal pay for its members. This is part of PSI's online campaign for International Women's Day.

Indian Nurses' Strike in Kerala nears 200 days as Hospital management refuses to budge

26 February 2018

More than 100 nurses have been been on a strike since 21 August for better working conditions at the K Velayudhan Memorial (KVM) Hospital, in the southern State of Kerala, India under the banner of the United Nurses Association (UNA).

PSI Health Taskforce meeting affirms urgent need for Right to Health for all

16 February 2018

The Public Services International Health and Social Services Task Force (HSSTF) met on 15-16 February, at the International Labour Office in Geneva. In attendance were over 30 health and social sector union leaders from across the world. They shared experiences and ideas on work in the sector and campaigning for the Right to Health.

PSI admitted into Official Relations with WHO

16 February 2018

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established official relations with Public Services International (PSI). The decision was reached by the WHO Executive Board on 26 January, during its 142nd session.

PSI Health and Social Services Task Force meeting

14 February 2018

PSI affiliates in the health and services sectors join in Geneva for the first post-congress Taskforce meeting to discuss the implementation of the Program of Action

A new dawn for public hospital services in Burkina Faso as government signs agreement with health sector workers

09 February 2018

The protracted dream of Public Hospital Service reform in Burkina Faso, that will ensure improved funding of the system and enhanced remuneration of health workers, is soon becoming a reality.

PSI General Secretary Meets WHO Director-General

08 February 2018

Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of Public Services International met with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization at the WHO headquarters on 8 February. She expressed PSI’s appreciation of the WHO Executive Board’s admittance of the global trade union federation into Official Relations.

Striking healthcare providers enter day two of a nationwide strike

01 February 2018

Thursday 1 February was day two of a full-blown strike by health workers in Togo after failed attempts to get authorities to address their pressing needs for better healthcare services provision and a boost in the morale of its working staff.

Strike in France: In Defence of Quality Elderly Care

01 February 2018

Social workers delivering home care, including in Housing Facilities for the Dependent Elderly (EHPAD) across France embarked on a 1-day strike on 30 January. This was to draw attention to several pressing problems confronting elderly care, which the authorities have failed to address.

Imminent nationwide strike in Togo as health workers demand government to address healthcare challenges

25 January 2018

Health workers in Togo have, for the second time in January 2018, gone on a sit-down strike to further mount pressure on the government to come to the discussion table with them to deliberate on issues affecting proper healthcare provision in the country.