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Privatisation

Quality public services are the foundation of democratic societies and successful economies. They ensure that everyone has equal access to vital services, including as health care, education, electricity, clean water and sanitation. When these services are privatised, maximizing corporate profits replaces the public interest as the driving force. Privatisation is a dangerous trend that must be reversed.

PSI affiliate suspects fishy deal following announcement of Meralco Consortium as new manager of electricity in Ghana

22 May 2018

The Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU), a PSI affiliate in Ghana, is accusing the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) and the government of Ghana of intentionally excluding them from the Evaluation Panel during the last round of negotiations that led to the selection of the concessionaire, Meralco Consortium, a Philippines firm, to manage the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

“Stop mounting pressure on countries to privatize water.” PSI sends cautionary calls to World Bank.

17 May 2018

PSI is calling on the World Bank to cease mounting pressure on countries to privatize water and other public services, says Sani Baba Mohammed, PSI Regional Secretary for Africa and Arab Countries.

Fighting for public services in the public interest

15 May 2018

What is at stake is not just protecting public companies in services deteriorating due to the current private sector management policies, but loudly demanding the refoundation of quality public service in the public interest, explains Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary.

Africa Non-Academic, Academic and Research Workers Educational Network meeting (Kenya)

04 May 2018

The Africa Non-Academic, Academic and Research Workers Educational Network (ANARWEN) meeting is being held at the Meridian hotel in Nairobi (Kenya) on 4-5 May 2018. The meeting aims at fostering and building solidarity towards enhancing trade union rights, fighting PPPs in the education sector and providing a platform for sharing best practices, including challenges facing the education sector in this region.

Cameroon Water Back in Public Hands

01 May 2018

On May Day 2018, Cameroon celebrates not only the gains made by workers and trade unions over the years, but can also celebrate the end of a ten-year experiment with privatisation of water services management. May 1st 2018 is the day that the government of Cameroon regains control of its water utility.

Movement for the Right to Health: 3,000 people march in Buenos Aires

26 April 2018

Over 3,000 working-class people and youth marched on the streets of Buenos Aires on 1 December 2017 to demand universal public healthcare. This marked the opening of the 1st Congress of the Movement for the Right to Health, (Movimiento por el Derecho a la Salud - MDS), for universal health care and against the commodification of health.

Trade unions in India meet to counter free trade agenda

26 April 2018

Trade Unions representing workers in Information Technology (IT), Steel, Health-care, Water, Coal, Automotive, Transport, Banking and Insurance met in Bengaluru from 17-18 April for a National Workshop on Trade and Investment Liberalisation: Impacts on Workers in India. The workshop was organised by the Forum against FTAs, Public Services International (PSI), Third World Network (TWN) and Transnational Institute (TNI).

Privatization Watch - 02/2018

26 April 2018

Latest issue of #PrivatizationWatch (02/2018) - The Global newsletter on privatization of public services around the world.

86 CSOs sign open letter on PPPs to World Bank Executive Directors

17 April 2018

Among several demands to government representatives at World Bank Board of Directors, Civil Society Organisations call on them to declare a moratorium on funding and promoting Public-Private Partnerships until an independent review is available.

PSI Warns Governments Against Privatization Attempts in Africa: “PPPs Only Another Face of Corruption"

16 April 2018

PSI affiliates in Nigeria in collaboration with the Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria held a workshop in Lagos on 3-4 April. Representatives from Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda also attended the meeting.

Why are electricity workers and engineers opposing the electricity (amendment) bill 2014 in India?

03 April 2018

On April 3, members of the National Coordinating Committee of Engineers and Employees (NCCOEEE) are holding a massive rally 'March to Parliament' in Delhi against the passing of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014, which would further privatise the electricity industry. See here an analysis of the bill.

In India, Electricity Engineers and Employees to Hold a "Dharna" in front of the Parliament

30 March 2018

On April 3, members of National Coordinating committee of Engineers and Employees (NCCOEEE) will take part in a massive non-violent sit-in protest in front of the Parliament against the passing of Electricity (Amendment) Bill, which will extend privatisation in the electricity distribution.

On World Water Day Nigerians protest against water privatisation

23 March 2018

In Lagos Nigeria, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth led protest actions on some major streets in continued campaigns to kick against plans by the Lagos State Government to privatize its water. PSI Nigerian affiliate the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service and Recreational Services Employees participated in the protest.

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.

EU’s Financial Watchdog Slams Public-Private Partnerships: “Widespread Shortcomings, Limited Benefits”

20 March 2018

The European Court of Auditors (ECA), the European Union’s very own Financial Watchdog, has slammed Public Private Partnerships in a no-holds-barred report released today.

Working for the alternative: Implementing PSI's mandate in 2013 and beyond

19 March 2013

The 2012 PSI World Congress provided a framework for Public Services International's discussions and decisions. However, it is necessary to focus priorities. This document presents a detailed implementation plan for PSI's mandate in 2013 and beyond.

Privatising Europe - Using the crisis to entrench neoliberalism

18 March 2013
Privatising Europe - Using the crisis to entrench neoliberalism

The Transnational Institute (TNI) has produced this working paper and infographic that provides an overview of what can best be described as a great ‘fire sale’ of public services and national assets across Europe that is providing profits for a few transnational companies but is often fiercely opposed by its citizens.

PSI Congress Resolutions

12 March 2013

Resolutions adopted at the 29th World Congress of Public Services International, held in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012. The resolutions are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Japanese and Russian.

Resolution 7: Universal access to healthcare

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),
meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Water companies and trends in Europe

24 September 2012

This publication is part of a series in which EPSU explores the activities of the private sector in key public services. The series offers an overview of multinational company developments and assist trade unions in considering which companies qualify for a European Works Council.

Re-municipalising municipal services in Europe

27 August 2012

Privatisation, contracting out and outsourcing have been the dominant trends in public services. Now there is increasing evidence of trends in the opposite direction, according to a report from EPSU.

Private government "with" public money? Municipal corporations and local utilities in six Italian regions

30 July 2012

Since the early 1990s, in Italy the corporatization of public bodies has become a prominent phenomenon, especially at the local level and in the domain of public utilities. In the context of a very fragmented and somewhat contradictory national legislative framework, the number of Italian municipal corporations has recently passed 5000 units, and represents a complex puzzle of diverse governance models and ownership structures.

Utterly Uncompetitive: the homelands of eternal water privatisation

10 March 2012

This new report from the Public Services International Research Unit shows that private companies delivering water and sanitation services enjoy and abuse monopoly positions. Examines situation in France, Spain and the UK to demonstrate serious distortions practiced by these companies

Presentation of the PSIRU report "Re-municipalisation of public services in Europe"

30 August 2011

A presentation by Dave Hall, PSIRU on the re-municipalisation of public services in Europe.

Effects of contracting out public sector tasks

30 August 2011

A presentation of the results of a research-based review of Danish and international studies from 2000-2011

Annual Report 2010

05 April 2011

In the face of widening cuts to public services and attacks on the rights of public sector workers around the world, leaders of private and public sector trade unions, municipal governments and civil society groups made the unprecedented joint commitment to work together to promote investment in quality public services backed by fair taxation policies as the key solution to the economic crisis, and the best way to build peaceful, equitable, democratic and environmentally-sustainable societies.

Annual Report 2009

03 April 2010

Environmental and social sustainability provided the primary theme for PSI’s work in 2009. Leading into the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen in December, trade unions and civil society allies worked hard to ensure that world leaders would agree on an ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions. Alas, this dream did not become reality. But we are committed to continuing this struggle and achieving real results.

Annual Report 2008

03 April 2009

Looking back at 2008 the one word that comes to mind is CHANGE. We saw a dramatic change in the global economy, it was the keyword in the US election and we initiated changes in PSI.