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Quality Public Services

In co-operation with other global federations of unions, PSI has launched the Quality Public Services – Action Now! campaign. This campaign unites public and private sector trade unions, municipal governments and civil society groups in advancing quality public services as the best means of building equitable, sustainable, peaceful and democratic societies. We believe investment in quality public services backed by fair taxation policies is a key solution to the economic crisis.

PSI Addresses ITUC Africa Conference on Peace and Security

09 October 2017
Trade union participants ITUC Conference on Peace and Security, Abuja, 5-6 October 2017

"Quality Public Services is key to conflict prevention, crisis adaptation, human security, peace-building and resilience." This was the key message delivered by the PSI delegation at the International Trade Union Confederation-Africa (ITUC-Africa) Conference on Peace and Security held on 5-6 October in Abuja, Nigeria.

From Tax Competition to Tax Cooperation: An Alternative to the Race to the Bottom (Event - New York)

13 September 2017

On September 18th the Independent Commission for the Reform of Corporate Taxation, of which PSI is a member, is organising a public debate in New York to highlight the urgent need for global tax reform to stop multinational tax evasion and avoidance

Public service workers from Czech Republic negotiate an increase in wages with the government

31 August 2017

On 20 August, representatives of trade unions from public services and public administration met in Prague to evaluate the process of negotiations on salary increases with the Czech Government.

23 June - Want to fund better public services? End corporate tax dodging

29 June 2017
Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary

For decades we’ve been told that there simply isn’t enough money available to properly fund our public services. It is up to us to challenge this.

PSI North America: Principles for Nafta renegotiation

26 June 2017

PSI affiliates in the US and Canada comment on the NAFTA renegotiations submitted to the United States Trade Representative (USTR). "We need a new approach to trade that puts the interests of working people and the environment first. We need an economy that puts a high priority on jobs, living standards, sustainability, and labor rights." Click on the image below to read it in full.

Regional Executive Committee for Inter-Americas - IAMREC (Rio de Janeiro)

06 March 2017

The meeting of the Inter-American Regional Executive Committee (IAMREC) of PSI was held on 23 and 24 March, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The participants from across the region discussed many issues related to the political situation and to the organization.

From public good to profit margin: how privatisation is failing our communities

06 March 2017
Photograph: Terry Vine/Getty Images/Blend Images

David Hetherington, Chair of the People's Inquiry, has penned an article for the Guardian based on what he learned from traveling around Australia speaking to communities about the impact of privatisation. When institutions that fulfil a deeply human function – teaching, caring for people at their most vulnerable moments – are forced to behave like businesses, everyone loses.

In Brazil, public spending will be frozen for 20 years

14 December 2016

"Unfortunately, if this measure is not reversed, the scenario for the next two decades is disastrous: chaos will be installed in the public health and education systems, while the privatization of the sector will be increased", says Jocelio Drummond, from Public Services International. Protests against the measure were severely repressed.

7 October - For the World Day of Decent Work, PSI launches campaign for women’s economic empowerment

05 October 2016

Around 70 women representing 22 countries from PSI's Asia Pacific region will launch, during APRECON in Japan, what is being called the "Fukuoka Statement". With the slogan “Unions at the core of women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work”, the document will serve as a roadmap towards the UNCSW61.

People's Inquiry Into Privatisation Launches

18 August 2016

The impact on ordinary Australians of privatising essential public assets and services will be examined in a People’s Inquiry launched by Public Services International; hearings will start in Newcastle on 5 September and conclude in Canberra on 27 October.

Statement of Rosa Pavanelli to Habitat III at Prepcom3 in Surabaya, Indonesia

07 August 2016

PSI's General Secretary, who is Vice-Chair of the Trade Unions and Workers Constituent Group, addresses member states negotiating the New Urban Agenda at the 3rd plenary of the 3rd session of the Preparatory Committee.

The response of public sector workers to the 16 April earthquake in Ecuador

21 July 2016

Through the testimonies collected, it was found that these workers are not seen as victims, although they also lost their homes, clothes and food. In addition, they had to leave their families to meet their obligations in the public sector.

PrepCom3 on Habitat III

20 July 2016
PSI side event at PrepCom3

On 26 July, during the third session of the Preparatory Committee of the Habitat III Conference, PSI is organising with ICRICT and PSIRU a side event called “Financing and investing in urban public services: The key to inclusive cities”. PrepCom3 will be held in Surabaya, Indonesia, from 25-27 July at the Convention and Exhibition Hall Grand City Convex Surabaya.

The road to Quito: workers and decent employment must be at the heart of the New Global Agenda!

06 June 2016
H III

The countdown for Habitat III - the UN conference that is expected to set out the new guidelines for urban policies - has begun. The ‘United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development ’ – as it is officially called - will take place in Quito, Ecuador, 17 – 20 October 2016.

May Day 2016 - time to reflect on the challenges ahead of us

30 April 2016
May Day March in Melbourne in 2012/Photo: Johan Fantenberg/CC

What can we celebrate on May Day if everywhere, to a greater or lesser extent, we face the precarization of employment, outsourcing, privatization, cuts, the increase of the age of retirement and the rise of pension contributions? When all that governments want is to make layoffs easier or take away our right to freedom of association and to strike?

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.

Effects of austerity on Greece

31 October 2013

A briefing paper in three parts prepared by PSI's research unit (PSIRU) on the effects of austerity on Greece. These background papers were commissioned by PSI for the PSI/EPSU CAN held in Greece, 4-8 November 2013.

Presentation: International Solidarity Levy

17 October 2013

This presentation was made by Katsuhiko Sato, Asia Pacific Coordinator for an International Solidarity Levy, during the PSI Asia Pacific Quality Public Services Forum in Bangkok, Thailand - October 2013

Presentation: PSI tax justice campaign

17 October 2013

This presentation by Teresa Marshall, PSI communications coordinator, was made at the PSI Asia Pacific Quality Public Services Forum and illustrates Public Services International's global tax justice campaign

Presentation: Trade and Services Agreement and Public Services

17 October 2013

Trade presentation given by Daniel Bertossa, PSI Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, at the PSI Asia Pacific Quality Public Services Forum in Bangkok, Thailand - October 2013

Presentation: Multinational Tax Avoidance

17 October 2013

Multinational Tax Avoidance and the OECD's base erosion and profit shifting (BEPs) process

Trade presentation given by Daniel Bertossa, PSI Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, at the PSI Asia Pacific Quality Public Services Forum in Bangkok, Thailand - October 2013

Presentation: How ‘free trade’ & investment treaties attack public services & why we have to fight them

17 October 2013

Trade presentation given by Professor Jane Kelsey, from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, at the PSI Asia Pacific Quality Public Services Forum in Bangkok, Thailand - October 2013

Presentation: The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and health

17 October 2013

A New Zealand perspective

Trade presentation given by Marilyn Head, New Zealand Nurses Organisation, at the PSI Asia Pacific Quality Public Services Forum in Bangkok, Thailand - October 2013

Presentation: MDGs in Asia-Pacific - UNI-APRO

17 October 2013

Presentation by UNI-APRO representative Jayasri Priyalal at an interactive workshop on tax justice, during the PSI Asia Pacific Quality Public Services Forum in Bangkok on 16 October 2013.

Presentation: Tax Justice and Quality Public Services

17 October 2013

Presentation by Lidy Nacpil of Jubliee South - Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development, at an interactive workshop on tax justice, during the PSI Asia Pacific Quality Public Services Forum in Bangkok on 16 October 2013.

Speech by PSI General Secretary in Nigeria

08 July 2013

Speech given by Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary, during her official visit to Nigeria on 2-5 July 2013.

Special report: PSI at the International Labour Conference, June 2013

26 June 2013

Every year, the International Labour Conference (ILC) takes places in Geneva. It brings together more than 5000 delegates and is often called an international parliament of labour. The Conference establishes and adopts international labour standards and is a forum for discussion of key social and labour questions. The ILC took place 5-20 June 2013.

Posters: Your Future in Public Hands

14 May 2013

On 1 May 2013, PSI launched the campaign “Your Future in Public Hands.” Public services are under attack and action is needed to ensure that in the future quality public services will be available to young and old, generating social justice and equality for all.

Badges: Your Future in Public Hands

25 April 2013
PSI Your Future in Public Hands badges

Download PSI badge files for the "Your Future in Public Hands" campaign and create your own button badges.

PSI’s 29th World Congress in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012

22 November 2012

As part of its World Congress events, PSI is holding a series of pre-congress meetings on key issues.