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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

Saving lives is not a crime

17 May 2019

EPSU and PSI stand in solidarity with their British firefighters’ affiliate, FBU, in its protest against the prosecution of Spanish firefighter Miguel Roldán for rescuing, as a volunteer on a NGO rescue ship, thousands of people from drowning in the Mediterranean sea.

United Nations adopts Two Landmark Global Compacts on Migrants and on Refugees

04 April 2019
Health workers caring for refugees

In December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Global Compact for Migration and the UN Global Compact on Refugees. The compacts were adopted after two years of intensive consultations and negotiations. PSI actively engaged in advocacy and lobbying during these processes and welcomed their adoption.

PSI holds roundtable on refugees' access to public services

19 February 2019

The event held in Beirut on 15 February discussed strategies to enhance refugee assistance in Lebanon, with a view to promoting access to decent work, social protection and public services. PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli and union leaders from PSI Swedish affiliates (ASSR, Vardfordbundet, ST, Vision and Kommunal) attended the meeting alongside members from the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers, Ministry of Social Affairs, ILO and UNHCR.

Human Rights, Trade Unions and Quality Public Services for Refugees and Migrant Workers (Beirut)

14 February 2019

This Roundtable Discussion is part of PSI's mission in support of Syrian refugees in Lebanon bringing together trade unions, civil society, government and international organization stakeholders to share perspectives towards strengthening refugee protection and assistance in Lebanon, with the view to promoting access to decent work, social protection and access to quality public services.

PSI mission to support Syrian refugees in Lebanon

05 February 2019

A PSI mission will be held in Beirut, Lebanon from 14-15 February. The mission is part of the project “Trade Unions, Human Rights and Quality Public Services for Refugees and Migrants in the MENA region” and is being implemented in partnership with Union to Union and PSI Swedish affiliates.

Migration is here to stay, funding public services is vital to address it

20 December 2018
George de Moussa - Lebanon

In an Op-ed published around the world, Geneviève Gencianos, PSI Migration Programme Coordinator, writes about public service workers who are at the frontline providing basic services to migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. It is through public services that we can fight inequality and build resilient and inclusive societies.

International Migrants Day - 18 December

18 December 2018

“In the face of conflict and climate related migration, we uphold the human right to quality public services in welcoming migrants and supporting inclusive and resilient communities.”

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

Racism? Not for us!

22 March 2014

Speak out and take a stand against racism and xenophobia! On the eve of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2014, Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of the global union federation Public Services International affirms that “our commitment to fight racism and all forms of discrimination is guided by respect for human rights and basic union principles: social justice, equality, collective action and collective responsibility”.

18 December International Migrants Day - “Workers’ solidarity is needed in times of crisis”

13 December 2012
Young woman migrant worker

On 18 December 2012 – United Nations International Migrants Day - “Workers’ solidarity is needed in times of crisis,” says Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary, Public Services International.

Privatisation of Migration & Refugee Services & Other Forms of State Disengagement

11 December 2017

This research, written by Jane Lethbridge, Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU), examines the effects of the privatisation of services for refugees and migrants at national and international level.

Return and reintegration to South Africa - An information kit for migrant workers

25 July 2017

This return and reintegration to South Africa kit offers basic information about relevant topics to help South African migrant workers who are planning to return home after taking up employment overseas. The kit aims at empowering workers to make informed decisions and raise awareness of the issues related to their return home.

A passport to worker and union rights in South Africa

10 March 2017
A passport to worker and union rights in South Africa

The passport for worker and union rights in South Africa has been developed by PSI and its affiliated trade unions in order to provide migrant workers with essential information related to their rights, recruitment, documentation and employment before they migrate to South Africa. It also covers those migrant workers already working in the country.

Zero Fees in the Recruitment Process

14 February 2017

What are recruitment fees and why should they be scrapped? Join PSIs' campaign for fair and ethical recruitment. www.world-psi.org/NRF -- #NoRecruitmentFees.

Manifesto for Zero Fees in the Recruitment Process

09 December 2016
Join the PSI campaign to abolish the practice of charging of recruitment fees on migrant workers. Sign on to the Manifesto and use it to shift policy and practice towards fair and ethical recruitment. #NoRecruitmentFees.

Policy brief EB-148 : Migration

06 October 2016

This policy brief on Migration was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to provide EB-148 with an overview of the current global humanitarian crisis. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

PSI Speech delivered at ILO Tripartite Technical Meeting on refugees

05 July 2016
ILO TTM on refugees

PSI Migration Programme Coordinator, Genevieve Gencianos, delivered a speech on 5 July at the Opening Session of the ILO Tripartite Technical Meeting on the Access of Refugees and other Forcibly Displaced Persons to the Labour Market. The meeting is being held from 5-7 July in Geneva, Switzerland.

United Nations General Assembly High Level Summit on Large Flows of Migrants and Refugees

17 June 2016

On 19 September 2016, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a “High Level Summit on Large Flows of Migrants and Refugees” at the UN in New York. The summit will call for a Global Compact on responsibility-sharing for refugees, which includes a comprehensive response plan on refugees and the strengthening of the global governance of migration.

Route of Shame 2016: Campaign Materials

26 May 2016

Join PSI and global trade unionists in a walk for social justice! Download campaign materials here and find out more about the Route of Shame 2016.

Posters: Hope has no borders

17 March 2016

Public services welcome migrants and refugees say PSI"s posters for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21st March.

Return and reintegration to the Philippines: An information guide for migrant Filipino health workers

24 November 2015

This booklet is a PSI Return and Reintegration Kit that was produced in 2015 in collaboration with the ILO Decent Work Across Borders Project.

Return and reintegration to the Philippines

30 June 2015

This return and reintegration booklet contains basic information about relevant topics to help Filipino migrant health workers who are planning to return to their home countries after taking up employment overseas.

Philippines pre-decision booklet on labour migration for health workers

30 June 2015

This pre-decision booklet contains basic information about several topics to help Filipino health workers who are considering taking up employment overseas. It seeks to empower health workers to make informed decisions and raise awareness of the issues related to health labour migration and ethical recruitment.

India Pre-decision booklet

30 June 2015

This pre-decision booklet contains basic information about several topics to help Indian health workers who are considering taking up employment overseas. It seeks to empower health workers to make informed decisions and raise awareness of the issues related to health labour migration and ethical recruitment.

Working in Norway

30 June 2015

This pre-departure booklet contains basic information about several topics to help Indian and Filipino health workers who are bound to work in Norway.

Human Rights, Trade Unions and Quality Public Services for Refugees and Migrant Workers (Beirut)

14 February 2019

This Roundtable Discussion is part of PSI's mission in support of Syrian refugees in Lebanon bringing together trade unions, civil society, government and international organization stakeholders to share perspectives towards strengthening refugee protection and assistance in Lebanon, with the view to promoting access to decent work, social protection and access to quality public services.

PSI mission to support Syrian refugees in Lebanon

05 February 2019

A PSI mission will be held in Beirut, Lebanon from 14-15 February. The mission is part of the project “Trade Unions, Human Rights and Quality Public Services for Refugees and Migrants in the MENA region” and is being implemented in partnership with Union to Union and PSI Swedish affiliates.

Intergovernmental Conference on the Global Compact for Migration (Marrakesh)

11 December 2018

Led by PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli, PSI comes to Marrakesh with a 45-member strong trade union delegation of activists from the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, Nigeria, USA and the Philippines.

Human Rights, Decent Work and Access to Quality Public Services for All (Marrakesh)

10 September 2018

On 8-9 December, PSI is organising a workshop, in cooperation with EPSU and FES, on "Human Rights, Decent Work and Access to Quality Public Services for All: Supporting the Role of Public Service Trade Unions in Advancing the UN Global Compact on Migration and the UN Global Compact on Refugees", in Marrakesh, Morocco. Discussions will be held on PSI’s Programme of Work on Migration and Refugees (2018-2022), in relation to the UN Global Compact on Migration and the UN Global Compact on Refugees.

Global Conference on Children on the Move (Berlin)

19 May 2017

The Initiative on Child Rights in the Global Compacts, which PSI is part of, is organising the Global Conference on Children on the Move taking place in Berlin, Germany, on 12-13 June. During this conference, participants will assess progress and develop strategies around implementing commitments to children on the move.

 

Women work mobility development & economic justice

10 March 2017

On 16 March at the 61st UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York the Women in Migration Network (WIMN) convenes a dialogue integrating strategies and feminist movements. This parallel event will be held at 10:30 am at the Church Center for the United Nations. PSI is co-sponsoring this event. Moradeke Abiodun - Badru, representing PSI affiliate The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), will be speaking on behalf of PSI.

Project culmination conference on migration (Johannesburg)

12 January 2017

The Culmination Conference of the PSI Project on Decent Work and Social Protection for Migrant Workers in the Public Services is taking place at the Reef Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa on 13 January 2017.

Providing Education to Refugee Children from Conflict Areas in the Middle East - Fast track to Equal Opportunities and Integration (Sweden)

15 November 2016

On 21-22 November, PSI will be participating in a Conference organised by Education International (EI) in Stockholm, Sweden, on Providing Education to Refugee Children from Conflict Areas in the Middle East - Fast track to Equal Opportunities and Integration.

Culmination Conference of the PSI Project on Decent Work and Social Protection for Migrant Workers in the Public Services (Philippines)

06 October 2016

The PSI Project on Decent Work and Social Protection for Migrant Workers in the Public Services, is a three-year project (2014-2016) which aims to promote access to decent work and social protection for migrant workers in the public services. This conference will launch key campaigns of the project, culminate the work over the last three years, and pave the way to the future work of the PSI on migration and refugee issues.

PSI Migration Project - Joint monitoring meeting and Symposium (Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone)

06 October 2016

The PSI Project on Decent Work and Social Protection for Migrant Workers in the Public Services will hold a project monitoring and planning meeting and Symposium in Parkview Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria, on 11-13th October 2016.

International Conference: Free trade and the right to (not) migrate (Brussels)

27 September 2016

The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung is organising a Conference on Free Trade and the Right to (Not) Migrate on 29 September – 1 October in Brussels. PSI Migration Programme Coordinator, Genevieve Gencianos, is speaking in a panel on “Lessons for the future: 21st Trade Agenda, TTIP and Migration” on 30 September between 16h30 and 19h.

UN General Assembly High Level Summit on Large Flows of Migrants and Refugees (New York)

17 September 2016

The summit, to be held on 19 September at the UN in New York, will call for a Global Compact on responsibility-sharing for refugees, which includes a comprehensive response plan on refugees and the strengthening of the global governance of migration.

ILO Tripartite Technical Meeting on Recruitment

06 September 2016
ILO TTM on refugees

The Tripartite Meeting of Experts to Develop Guidance on Fair Recruitment is being held at the ILO in Geneva on 5-7 September. The objective is to adopt ILO guidelines on fair recruitment, encompassing both cross-border and national recruitment. PSI Migration Programme Coordinator, Genevieve Gencianos, delivered a speech on 5 September at the opening session of the meeting.

Civil Society Days: 9th Global Forum on Migration and Development (Dhaka)

21 July 2016

PSI and the Global Union Federations are planning to bring a delegation of trade union activists to the GFMD Civil Society Days (CSD). The Civil Society Days will take place on 8‐9 December 2016, to be followed by the GFMD on 10‐12 December 2016. Both events will take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Informal Interactive Multi-stakeholder Hearing (preparatory process for UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants)

13 July 2016
Photo: Ben White/ CAFOD - Creative Commons

PSI will be attending the informal interactive multi-stakeholder hearing on 18 July 2016 as part of the lead-up to the UN high-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants to be held on 19 September 2016.

Public healthcare for all

22 November 2018

#SolidarityWithRefugees  PSI is launching the first video, of a series of three, on building quality public services for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This first video focuses on quality public healthcare for all.

Interview: Delivering quality public services to refugees in Greece

19 May 2016

In an interview on 16 March, Georgios Gioulos, from PSI Greek affiliate ADEDY, describes how public sector workers dealing with refugees in Greece are working under very difficult conditions and doing their utmost to provide quality public services.

Interview with Randa Al-Khaldi, TUWHS

01 May 2016

Randa Al-Khaldi from TUWHS in Jordan was interviewed during 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” that was held on 14-16 March in Brussels, Belgium.

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.

Audio: A special RadioLabour report on migrant workers and their families

07 January 2014

There are 232 million migrants in the world. Many are living and working in horrible conditions. A special RadioLabour report on migrant workers and their families. The report features interviews with two international labour movement activists: Chidi King of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Genevieve Gencianos of Public Services International (PSI).

Photo gallery: PSI at the UN HLD and the PGA

07 October 2013

PSI at the UN High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development and the Peoples Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights, New York (USA), 30 Sept - 4 October 2013.

Photo gallery: Launch of Migrant Desk in Johannesburg, South Africa

12 September 2012

The Migrant Desk will provide information, counselling, organizing, support services and networking for migrants, prospective migrants and returning migrants.

GFMD Civil Society Days

06 December 2011

At the 2011 meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development Civil Society Days, held in Geneva on 29-30 November 2011, civil society groups demonstrated in front of the UN Building in Gene